For immediate release
July 23, 2012

Toronto, ON—A nationwide conference invites everyone to participate in a weekend gathering that will share critical perspectives on the current situation of workers under the current crisis of capitalism. Groundbreaking in content and analysis, the conference “Workers Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization” will highlight the role of workers as central to the building of a truly progressive movement to confront this crisis. Organized by the Counterspin secretariat (Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians and allies), the weekend conference will take place on the 11th and 12th of August at the United Steel Workers Hall in Toronto.

Panel speakers for this historic conference, coming from the United States, the Philippines and Canada will include human rights activists, community organizers, labour leaders and progressive academics, all of whom will speak about the struggles and resistance of workers against neoliberalism’s all-out attacks on their lives and conditions.

Providing the overall picture of where we stand under the present crisis of neoliberal globalization, speakers in “The Global and Canadian situation” will provide an update of the current global political economy and the particular challenges we are facing in Canada. It will also give us an understanding of the resistance currently being waged by people in various parts of the world.

The second panel, “Transnational communities in Canada—their struggles and resistance,” will highlight the significance of the shift towards temporary migration versus immigration as seen through the situation of transnational workers in Canada. The struggles of these communities will be discussed in the context of Canada’s need for cheap labour, while their resistance will highlight their contributions in helping build a progressive movement for social change.

As the crisis of neoliberal globalization is apparent throughout the Global South and the North, speakers in “International solidarity and the working class” will look at the struggles of workers in the Philippines and other parts of the world. Speakers in this panel will share the resistance put up by workers around the world in facing the common struggle against neoliberal globalization that all workers face.

By situating emergent social movements and resistance as part of the broader project of building a new world towards genuine democracy, liberation, peace and environmental sustainability, “Moving forward towards the revolutionary road” will finalize the day by challenging all participants to see their role in building a truly progressive movement for social change. The conference will end on August 12th with an open discussion session on “Forging genuine solidarity,” which will serve as a sharing and discussion of the entire weekend’s program and of strategies to be taken in moving forward.

Speakers for this conference will include internationally-renowned author and feminist Ninotchka Rosca and long-time human rights activist Emmanuel Sayo. Pete Pinlac, Chairperson of MAKABAYAN of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (Movement for National Democracy), the leading trade union federation in the Philippines, will also be speaking. Reuben Sarumugam of UKPC/FCYA-ON (Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance), Arlene Oropel of SIKLAB BC (a Filipino Canadian workers organization) and Bryan Taguba of SIKLAB Ontario will be representing progressive Filipino Canadian sectoral organizations. Cecilia Diocson, currently the Executive Director of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada, has also been instrumental in the creation of these organizations and will also be speaking at the conference. Professors Habiba Zaman from Simon Fraser University, Rachel Gorman from York University, PhD candidate Chris Vance and Evelyn Encalada from Justicia will be among the academics, university-based researchers and community organizers who will also share their research and experiences.

All are invited to register and participate in this conference. The conference will pose concrete alternatives and strategies will be conceptualised in order the help strengthen workers’ resistance within North America and beyond.

“Workers’ Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization”
North American Conference
August 11 & 12, 2012
United Steelworkers Hall
25 Cecil Street
Toronto, ON Canada
Registration fee is $20 (including meals and conference materials)
Organized by the Counterspin secretariat (CPFC & allies)

REGISTER NOW: http://bit.ly/workersconference

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For more information, contact:
Bryan Taguba
(416) 519-2553
siklab-on@magkaisacentre.org
www.magkaisacentre.org
Facebook and Twitter: Siklab Ontario