Every day is a day for eliminating racism

On March 21, 1960, police opened fire on and killed 69 peaceful demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa. The demonstration was in opposition to that nation’s apartheid policies that denied the rights of the non-white population.

               In 1966, in remembrance of the Sharpeville Massacre and the struggle it represented, the UN proclaimed March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, calling on the global community to redouble its efforts toward this goal. In Canada, however, just as around the world, we still have far to go.

               The contemporary face of racism in Canada is embedded in labour laws that exclude certain workers; immigration laws that exclude certain people from becoming permanent residents; and economic policies that prevent certain people from escaping poverty. In such an environment, it is no wonder that the poverty rate from 1980-2000 for the non-racialized (that is, of European heritage) fell by 28%, while poverty among racialized families rose by 361%.

               As the largest private-sector union in Canada, fighting for the rights of all workers means standing up against racism. UFCW Canada has a long history of challenging immigration and labour laws that discriminate against workers, particularly migrant labourers. The migrant community is made up of predominantly racialized workers from the global south, and they are continuously subjected to exploitative and hazardous working conditions.

               While reflecting on the challenges before us, we remain optimistic about the changes happening in our communities. Every day, we see our members working in solidarity with immigrant and migrant rights groups, and fighting against unjust deportation policies affecting refugees, undocumented workers, and migrant workers. We see bonds of unity developing as workers challenge racism within their workplaces by uniting to stand up against rights violations, and educating themselves and each other about oppression and the path to justice and equity.

               On the occasion of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, UFCW Canada reaffirms our union’s commitment in the struggle to eliminate racism – until, in fact, racism becomes a bygone relic.

In solidarity,

Wayne Hanley

National President