For immediate release
October 15, 2012

Vancouver, BC—The Kalayaan Centre, its allies and the Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians (CPFC) call on all to take action and participate in a province-wide workers’ conference titled “Workers’ Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization” on November 10th at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre. Originally held in Toronto in August, the Kalayaan Centre is now hosting the conference in Vancouver to continue raising workers’ political consciousness necessary to critically understand and combat the all-out attacks of the neoliberal agenda of globalization on all workers in Canada and beyond.

Throughout the year, we have witnessed popular movements in all corners of the world in resistance to capitalism’s onslaughts on the majority of people worldwide. Popular movements such as the Arab Spring, the continuing protests in Europe against the austerity agenda and ongoing social movements in the Global South signify the increasing discontent of people against policies and practices that prioritize profit over people. The victory of the Quebec student strike here in Canada reminds us of the possibilities of social change if we are united in our fight and resistance; it also reminds us all of the need to continue resisting given the heightening crisis of capitalism.

In Canada, the same neoliberal anti-people and anti-worker policies that are being implemented globally are ever-present. Draconian austerity measures such as—cutbacks on social services, the privatization of public services, wage-freezes, decreasing opportunities for full-time permanent jobs through the proliferation of contractual/flexible jobs—are all leading to situations of instability and precarity for all workers. Worse, the Conservative government’s intensifying push to recruit temporary foreign workers for their cheap labour is evident as employers are now legally allowed to pay these workers 15% less than the average wage. These exploitative strategies are being used to drive down the wages, while at the same time dividing workers by pitting temporary ‘foreign’ workers against other workers in Canada.

“Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization” will provide a venue for all to collectively understand the ongoing struggles faced by workers locally and globally. Moreover, this understanding will be built in order to strengthen workers’ solidarity and resistance towards building a movement for genuine social change.

All are encouraged to register and participate in this one-day conference.

“Workers’ Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization”
Vancouver-wide conference
November 10th, 2012, 8am – 6pm
Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre, 7th Floor
515 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Co-sponsored by the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Department of Simon Fraser University
Registration is free

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

-30-

For more information, contact the Conference Secretariat:
Arlene Oropel: 778-317-5265
Andrew Sayo: 604-215-9355
pwc-on@magkaisacentre.org
www.magkaisacentre.org