‘The most common language in Canada is silence’: Migrant worker and author Gabriel Allahdua [video]

Halifax, NS – On October 30, Gabriel Allahdua, author of the recently published memoir “Harvesting Freedom: The Life of a Migrant Worker in Canada,” spoke at the Halifax Central Library. Approximately 50 people attended the event, despite the rain. Allahdua‘s talk is available for viewing here –

Allahdua, who is a former migrant farm worker from St. Lucia, a community organizer and an outreach worker with migrant workers, was in conversation with migrant leader and cancer survivor Kerian Burnett.

Allahdua spoke about the poor conditions facing migrant farm workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP). He stated that migrant workers are “denied basic human rights” and “excluded.” When asked why he decided to write the book, Allahdua stated that it was “to empower people, to embolden people and to expose the issues that we face.”

“The most common language in Canada is not English, French or Spanish. The most common language in Canada is silence… Migrant workers are trying to tell you we are here. From 1966, we have been putting food on the table. We are trying to tell you we are here, but we are invisible. Do you tell us we belong or you’re not concerned? That is the question,” said Allahdua.

Burnett also spoke about her challenges in accessing healthcare services, because SAWP workers are not eligible for provincial healthcare coverage (MSI) in Nova Scotia.

The following day, Allahdua spoke at Dalhousie University. Allahdua’s visit to Halifax was organized by migrant worker support organization No one is illegal – Nova Scotia.

Stacey Gomez is the Manager of No One Is Illegal–Nova Scotia’s migrant worker program.