By completing an on-line questionnaire based on different real-life scenarios, students learn about the links between migration, trade and human rights in the developing world and in Canada. Perceptions are checked against reality.

Process

1. Students complete the on-line questionnaires (print version also available as separate handouts for students (questionnaires) and teachers (answer sheets).

2. Lead class discussion based on the different scenarios. Before or after the discussion, remember to tell students that the scenarios are examples of cases that have been reported on and that are linked to the issues of migration, trade and development addressed in this unit. They don't represent the situation of all migrant workers in the world. Consult the resources to search for more stories and examples.

Scenarios

• Scenario 1. Mexican farm worker injured on the job in Canada
  (see handouts for Scenario 1)

A Mexican farm worker is injured on the job and claims his employer refused to give him his health card, which is necessary to be seen by a doctor. He eventually receives help from Le Centre d'appui aux travailleurs agricoles migrants (CATA) and is seen by a doctor. He requires emergency surgery to treat his hernia. His employer denies any wrong-doing.

Key Issues - trade and migration (related to temporary worker agreements), human rights (especially labour and health), poverty

Discussion questions:

• Do you believe the worker or do you believe the employer?

• If you believe Mr. Rosas, why would a worker want to return to Canada after being treated badly?

• Why would the employer hold onto Mr. Rosas health card?

• What would you have done if you were Mr. Rosas?
  
  
• What would you have done if you were his employer?

• Scenario 2. Haitian rice producer migrates to the Dominican Republic
  (see handouts for Scenario 2)

A rice producer in Haiti can no longer make a living because cheap subsidized rice is flooding the market in Haiti. This has driven down the cost of domestic rice so much that people can no longer survive as rice farmers and are leaving the country in order to find work.

Key Issues - North-South trade issues, poverty, migration (cause)

Discussion questions:

• Do you think this situation is fair for Emmanuel and his family?

• Can you think of any other options for Emmanuel?
  
  
• How can this situation be changed?

• Scenario 3. Thai domestic worker in Taiwan faces similar human rights concerns as Burmese domestic worker in Thailand.
  (see handouts for Scenario 3)

A Thai domestic worker in Taiwan is physically and verbally abused, while a Burmese domestic worker in Thailand faces similar treatment. Lack of access to labour laws in both countries creates this situation. The Thai worker has left her country for economic reasons while the Burmese, making US$24-$73 per month, is still economically better off in Thailand than in her country, which is even poorer.

Key Issues - South-South international migration, women's rights, labour laws, poverty

Discussion questions:

• Do you think the domestic workers stay in the countries where they have migrated?

• What can they do to improve their situations?
  
  
• What would you do if you were in their situation?

Extension

• Role-play characters, create a different ending.
• Divide class into groups for the discussion.
• Consult the resources section and ask students to write their own scenarios.

Resources

International

• International Press Service (IPS) - Asian Migration Trail
  
  
• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) - Immigrant rights stories
  
  
• Oxfam Make Trade Fair Campaign - "Real lives"

Canada

• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) - Foreign Workers' Program
  
  
• Canadavisa.com
  
  
• La presse - Mêmes droits... en théorie par André Noël, 7 juin 2007, p. A2

• La presse - La police au secours d'un saisonnier par André Noël, La Presse, 7 juin 2007
  
  
• No Compensation: Quebec law discriminates against domestic workers by Miriam Caliguiran and Kezia Speirs, Siafu, May-June 2007