MFL Human Rights Conference

The theme of the Conference was Racism in the Workplace.

- By Lisa Tarko

MFL communications Coordinator John Doyle welcomed the approximately 80 delegates who attended the MFL Human Rights Conference on October 1, 2005. The panel members were then introduced - Phoebe DeLeon, Raj Dhaiwal, Peter Koroma, Evelyn Sy and Jerry Woods.

Brother Bancroft Williams read an original poem he wrote, which set the tone of the conference. Raj Dhaiwal did a brief educational presentation on discrimination, touching on all parts of discrimination in the workplace such as racial, sexual, bullying, gender, etc. He also discussed how union activism, leadership and involvement are important to eradicate racism in the workplace.

Evelyn Sy spoke of her own struggle in the union movement and at the workplace as both a worker of colour and a woman. She also discussed language barriers at the work site and how everyone has to be respectful of each other's language.

Jerry Woods discussed his background and also spoke about the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and its role in helping with racism. Phoebe DeLeon discussed her experience in coming to Canada and entering the work force in Winnipeg. She shared her story of becoming involved as a union/labour activist because of several incidences of racism with management in the company where she was employed. Peter Koroma talked about his experiences in the workplace and community and also focused on the lack of advancement within the work force for minority workers.

The morning Open Forum was very informative as there were many perspectives from the delegates. They included:

• The need for more integration of all workers in the workplace
• Human Rights Commission has to look at the racism issues out in the community and labour force and develop more encompassing legislation and policies dealing with racism issues
• The social repercussions of racism were discussed with particular attention given to racism and poverty
• Aboriginal concerns were discussed
• Dialogue on activist supporting co-workers and helping to stop racism
• Discussed the systematic discrimination in the workplace and how we all, as workers, can stop it Lots of sharing of feelings and ideas

During the lunch break, the Honourable Gord Mackintosh was the guest speaker. He spoke of the security measures that the government has been developing and implementing since September 11, 2001. He took questions from the delegates, with particular emphasis on the relationship of racial discrimination and poverty. A resolution was presented from the floor on how 'social conditions' should be included in the Human Rights Code.

"Be It Resolved That we, the delegates of the MFL Human Rights Conference are unanimous in supporting 'social condition' be recognized and included as a protective characteristic of the Manitoba Human Rights Code."

There was a video presentation on Racial Harassment of Muslim workers since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It was a CAW produced video and it has a profound effect on the delegates and set the tone for the afternoon presentations.

The afternoon Panel consisted of Shahina Siddiqui and David Onyalo from the CLC. Shahina Siddiqui spoke of the plight of Muslims since September 11, 2001 and how they are facing discrimination from both the community and the government.

David Onyalo discussed some of the effects that workers have experienced since September 11, 2001. It has not only affected Muslim workers, but has transcended into whole industries such as trucking and border crossing backups due to security measures, etc.

It was suggested by the delegates that the MFL promote media awareness on the effects that these security measures have had on the labour force. Also, Shahina was very surprised to learn how much farther ahead labour activists are in recognizing and dealing with cultural diversity and anti-racism issues.

Before the conference finished at 3 p.m., the delegates filled out evaluations giving their opinions of the conference.