Migrants Building Power is a free education, skill-share and support program open to all migrants, on or off visas, who want to address their workplace issues or fight back against exploitation of migrant working people. We are a fully volunteer-run group of migrants, not funded by any institution or political party.
While silence doesn’t ensure our safety, getting organised with our coworkers does. We offer our program in order, from 1-3. We can run workshops for your community or workplace online or in-person. Our education is confidential, visual, interactive and about practical problem-solving.
THE PROGRAM
1.
Introductory workshop: The situation for migrant workers in Australia
Major Australian industries are held up by migrant labour. Bosses know that 90% of migrants won’t seek justice out of fear of visa cancellation and deportation, lack of means, inadequate government initiatives or ineffective legal avenues. This is how migrant exploitation has become a sure way for businesses to remain competitive.
We discuss common issues and types of exploitation that migrant workers face and how severe this problem is. We consider the available avenues (such as Fair Work, political parties, unions) for addressing injustice. Finally, we discuss what migrant workers can do to fight back.
2.
Legal Rights Workshop
In this workshop we discuss the legal and union rights of migrants. We can tailor this workshop according to the needs of participants. While knowing your rights is important when building confidence for advocacy, we also discuss that migrants are placed in a position where their rights are difficult to enforce in Australia.
3.
Workplace Organiser training course
Our workplace organiser training course is based on Labor Notes, and adapted for migrant workers in the Australian context. We will take five sessions to discuss a booklet that covers:
- How to study your workplace
- How to build relationships with your coworkers
- How to build a campaign
- How to be prepared for the boss’s tactics
- Local case studies of workers taking action
FAQ
How did you develop your program?
We have been developing this program for two years, in consultation with people who have experience across union organising, political campaigns, research and immigration law. As this program is only recently launched, we are very open to feedback and updating our education so it serves migrant worker needs.
Can language assistance be arranged?
Yes for the introductory and legal workshops. For the workplace organising training, we hope to find and train volunteers who can help deliver them in community languages. Please get in touch with us if you would like to help.
How long are your sessions?
The introductory and legal workshops are designed to go for 1.5 hours each, but this can vary depending on how many people are attending and participating.
Our workplace organising training will run every two or three months, when we secure enough intake and capacity. There are a total of five sessions, each to go for 1.5 hours on a day and time that suits the attendees.
How can I book for my community or workplace?
Email us at migrantsbuildingpower@proton.me and we will get in touch as soon as we can!