This text is part of the special Interculturality notebook
For more than a year, the organization Actions interculturelles (AI) has supported the integration of foreign workers, particularly in rural areas, through its pilot project Les Tisse-rangs. It happens that they are particularly isolated, hence the importance of promoting better access to services.
“Les Tisse-rangs” refers to the social fabric and the naming of country roads, we can read in a press release. The pilot project extends over two years, but the organization wants to see the offering of services adapted to foreign workers continue. Good integration has positive repercussions for both employees and employers who are thus ensured better retention of qualified labor. As Mohamed Soulami, general director and founder of AI, indicates, “the needs are such that the number of temporary immigrants, including agricultural ones, is growing. It is necessary to offer them services, because they support the Quebec market.”
A promising project
For Mr. Soulami, Les Tisse-rangs is particularly useful because it encourages people to participate in social and recreational activities, which has the effect of promoting their integration. The organization notably offers information sessions allowing you to better understand the culture and work standards. The founder of AI also mentions the support offered through support services for individual procedures or in the event of a problem.
Beyond the professional aspect, Mr. Soulami affirms that social integration plays a central role in the experience of foreign workers. To this end, the organization offers support for sporting and cultural activities in order to develop a social fabric. “This is a first step,” maintains the general director, who also reveals that the employer also plays a major role in integration. This is an aspect on which the organization also acts through the Weavers, by raising awareness.
Several factors can contribute to promoting the integration of individuals, affirms the general director of Intercultural Actions. “The government, the employees, we as a civil society, as an organization, we all have a role to play in the integration of foreign workers,” he says.
Family reunification of foreign workers is also an important aspect, he adds. “Providing adjustments at this level may encourage workers to settle here and become permanent, which will also help employers. » Indeed, workers present in Quebec have developed a certain expertise and good working relationships. Keeping them in place ensures good retention of qualified personnel.
Aggravating factors
Social integration as well as isolation constitute challenges for foreign workers, especially in rural areas. According to Mohamed Soulami, “whether geographical or social, isolation increases the risk of abuse.” We must therefore be vigilant in ensuring that foreign workers benefit from services. “Whether in Montreal or elsewhere, people who do not know the language, do not receive services from local organizations and do not have social relationships outside of work are at risk of discrimination,” he depicts. Francization therefore represents a major challenge, especially for agricultural workers, most of whom come from Mexico or Guatemala and “often do not speak French”. The risk of isolation and lack of integration is increased.
If the rural environment is potentially a factor aggravating isolation, which can lead to a risk of exposure to abuse, we must however keep in mind that workers in urban areas can also be confronted with it, explains Mohamed Soulami. If there is a lack of support and isolation, the consequences can be serious and they are at risk of discrimination.
Intercultural Actions has worked for many years to raise awareness among governments of the importance of offering services to foreign workers, as they previously did not receive them. The general director and founder of the organization is therefore delighted to see the situation evolve and the services now offered to foreign workers. AI is also at the origin of several projects promoting the inclusion of foreign workers and has notably set up a journal reporting stories of successful integrations. This allows people in the community to discover these workers who are too often invisible.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.