紀念華工 / 纪念华工

紀念第一波外勞鐵路華工的意義

在過去的加拿大國慶日，很多團體在多倫多參加了紀念鐵路華工的儀式，回憶他們對團結加拿大的貢獻。每年很多人都以燒烤、野餐和放煙火來慶祝國慶，但是，紀念1863年來加拿大的第一波外勞鐵路華工，為建鐵路的犠牲，最終使加拿大得以擴張，不單只對加拿大華人，對所有加拿大都是十分重要的。

多倫多及約克區勞工議會和加拿大亞裔勞工聯盟的代表，向鐵路華工紀念碑獻上花圈並致詞，表示勞工運動會繼續為移民和外勞爭取及改善權益，正如，1885年的人頭稅、1923年的排華法，以及2012年新的勞工法和移民法，用新方法拒絕了臨時外勞的權益和像樣的工作條件。就好像當年鐵路華工修建鐵路竣工後被拒絕申請居留一樣，今日，臨時外勞被要接受低工資，和當他們的工作簽證到期，被拒絕申請居留。

達到社會公正才是真正的紀念鐵路華工和慶祝國慶。改革勞工和移民法，以保護我們社區弱勢和被邊緣化的一群是很重要的。

纪念第一波外劳铁路华工的意义

在过去的加拿大国庆日，很多团体在多伦多参加了纪念铁路华工的仪式，回忆他们对团结加拿大的贡献。每年很多人都以烧烤、野餐和放烟火来庆祝国庆，但是，纪念1863年来加拿大的第一波外劳铁路华工，为建铁路的犠牲，最终使加拿大得以扩张，不单只对加拿大华人，对所有加拿大都是十分重要的。

多伦多及约克区劳工议会和加拿大亚裔劳工联盟的代表，向铁路华工纪念碑献上花圈并致词，表示劳工运动会继续为移民和外劳争取及改善权益，正如，1885年的人头税、1923年的排华法，以及2012年新的劳工法和移民法，用新方法拒绝了临时外劳的权益和像样的工作条件。就好像当年铁路华工修建铁路竣工后被拒绝申请居留一样，今日，临时外劳被要接受低工资，和当他们的工作签证到期，被拒绝申请居留。

达到社会公正才是真正的纪念铁路华工和庆祝国庆。改革劳工和移民法，以保护我们社区弱势和被边缘化的一群是很重要的。

Learning from the first wave of Chinese Railroad (Migrant) Workers

This past Canada Day, many organizations attended the commemoration ceremony of Chinese Railroad Workers in Toronto to remember their contributions to the unity of Canada. While many celebrate Canada Day each year with barbeques, picnics, and fireworks, it is important not only for Chinese-Canadians, but for all Canadians to remember how this first wave of Chinese migrant workers, who came in 1863, sacrificed much to build the railroad that would eventually lead to the expansion of Canada.

Both the Toronto & York Region Labour Council and the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance were there to lay wreaths and to speak about the labour movement’s continual fight to improve immigrant and migrant workers’ rights. Just as the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 placed a head tax on all Chinese immigrants coming to Canada and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923 that prohibited Chinese from entering this country, the labour and immigrant laws in 2012 have found new ways to deny rights and decent working conditions to temporary foreign workers. Just as Chinese railroad workers were not permitted to apply for residency after finishing the railway, migrant workers today are also asked to accept lower wages and are denied the ability to apply for residency after their work permit. To truly honour the memory of these Chinese workers, and to celebrate July 1st as the anniversary of a country that is socially just, it is important that labour (and immigration) laws are reformed to protect those who are most vulnerable and marginalized in our communities.