A Filipino migrant worker who couldn’t renew his work permit on time becomes undocumented. Where does he turn for help?
Another Filipino gets swindled by a fraudulent website but is too ashamed to admit to his family and friends about his mistake. How can he prevent other Filipinos from falling into the same trap?
A newcomer gets abused by her employer and now has to find another employer and a place to stay—quickly. What steps can she take?
These are real instances when Filipino migrant workers were helped by Migrante Canada, the local chapter of Philippine-based Migrante International.
“A global alliance of over 200 member organizations in 23 countries, Migrante Canada was founded in October 2010 and has 13 chapters and member organizations across Canada.
“We are based in Vancouver, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Winnipeg, Toronto, Barry, Ottawa, Montreal, Sherbrooke and Quebec City,” their website stated.
Aimee Beboso, chairperson of Migrante Ottawa, spoke to Mabuhay Canada about some of the challenging cases they’ve helped with.
Becoming Undocumented
She spoke about a Filipino who has been working in Canada since 2009: “Hindi na naagapan ang work permit, so na-cancel. Naging undocumented siya.
(The work permit wasn’t renewed on time, so it was cancelled. He became undocumented.)
“Hindi valid yung immigrant visa niya pero ni-renew nila ang work permit niya. Hanggang we had to campaign kasi gusto na siyang pauwiin.
(His immigrant visa wasn’t valid but they eventually renewed his work permit. We had to campaign hard for him because (the government) wanted him to go home.)
“We were successful in making him stay, and we also partnered with Migrant Rights Network—they cover all communities, not just Filipinos,” Beboso said.
Vulnerable Workers’ Permit
During the height of COVID-19, Migrante Canada was also instrumental with the vulnerable workers’ permit.
“Kasi umalis sila sa trabaho kasi abusado. Tutulungan namin silang mag-apply, magtrabaho continuously.
(It’s because they leave abusive situations. We help them apply for jobs so they can continue working.)
“We help with (their) resumes to apply for jobs in other sectors,” Beboso said.
Workshops and ESL
The organization also helps with mentorship and education.
“We do a lot of ‘know your rights workshop’.
(We discuss) mimimum rights at work—how do you look at your payslip, deductions, how to do your tax forms.
“Para alam nila kung sapat ba yung bayad nila.”
(So that they know if their pay is fair.)
Migrante Canada also helps with ESL (English as a Second Language) review.
“Nagamit nila yung skills (they used the skills learned). We give the review, but we don’t give an (ESL) certificate.
“Most of the people—(it’s a) revolving door. Pag bago sila, dami kaming numbers. (If they’re newcomers, our numbers are up with the organization).
“Pag natapos na nila yung programa, tatlo na ang trabaho nila, di na sila namin makikita.
(Once they’re done with the program, they have three jobs or so, we don’t see them anymore.)
But that’s ok, kasi alam namin (we know) that that’s the nature of Migrante Ottawa,” Beboso explained.
Migrante Ottawa
Newcomers and migrant workers find Migrante Canada mostly through internet searches and word-of-mouth.
“We will help you with the skills and empowerment,” Beboso said.
Once they learn the skills and are empowered, they do it to someone else and help to ‘pay it forward’.
“We might not agree sometimes on politics, but we can agree on human rights.
“If there’s a stranded Filipino and their rights are being violated, we can help with that.
“Many Filipinos end up in rural areas, so we can’t reach them, we don’t know they’re there.”
“Focus namin social justice, access to health care, taxes.”
