On Tuesday, May 4 2021, to commemorate International Workers’ Day, JFCS Immigration Legal Services Director Jamie Englert discussed our collective work to help refugees and asylum seekers earn a sustainable income and rebuild their lives.
#MayDayChat was a joint partnership from across the United States and even the world. From Ecuador to Kenya, from San Diego to New York, organizations from all over took part in the Twitter chat live with HIAS.
Below is a full list of the questions and answers provided by Jamie and JFCS.
Introduction: Let’s get to know our #MayDay chat participants. Please introduce yourself, and make sure to use #MayDayChat in every tweet so we can all follow along. We encourage retweets, replies, and likes to get the discussion going.
This is Jamie Englert, Director of Immigration Legal Services at JFCS Pittsburgh. We work with immigrants and refugees from all over the world! #MayDayChat
Q1: How is #MayDay commemorated in your country and what does it mean to the refugees and asylum seekers we serve? #MayDayChat
A1 #MayDay or labour day is recognizing the power of people joining together to create better work conditions. We celebrate diversity in our workforce and the power of unity. #MayDayChat
Q2: International Workers’ Day or Labor Day is a celebration of working people and a commemoration of the people who came before us who fought for better working conditions. How are you continuing this legacy by fighting for labor rights in your community? #MayDayChat #MayDay2021
A2 we work with the local immigrant community, organizations who lobby and provide advocacy to protect the rights of workers and the labor unions. We file grievances for civil rights violations when we are aware that they occur and represent victims of human trafficking including labor trafficking. #MayDayChat
Q3: For more than a year now, we have been battling #COVID19, which has severely impacted the global economy and caused job insecurity for millions of people. How has the pandemic impacted the displaced people you work with? #MayDayChat
A3 The pandemic has left many people without employment or underemployed. It has made the lives of our clients very difficult including homelessness, food insecurity, loss of transportation and they’re dealing with child care issues. #MayDayChat
Q4: In what unexpected ways has your organization had to creatively adapt to #COVID19 to continue to provide economic assistance to refugees and asylum seekers? #MayDayChat
A4 Through our staff on the ground we have been working to help people obtain benefits and apply for unemployment, through our partnership with local foundations we have been able to distribute financial aid to many families to prevent homelessness, help pay for utilities and provide food directly to families through our food pantry. #MayDayChat
Q6: What is one misconception that the public has about displaced people you would like to correct? #MayDayChat #RefugeesWork
A6 Almost all of our clients are looking to work hard and create a better life for them and their families. Refugees and Asylum seekers don’t come here to take the easy path. #MayDayChat
Q7: How can people take action in your community to support refugees and asylum-seekers as they rebuild their lives? #MayDayChat #HireRefugees
A7 JFCS has lots of volunteer opportunities and community events where people can support the clients we serve and the work we do and donations are always welcome. Please visit jfcspgh.org for more information about volunteering. #MayDayChat
Conclusion: Thank you all for participating in our #MayDayChat today. Any last thoughts for our readers?
A8 We were lucky enough to be born here with all of the rights and privileges we take for granted. Imagine if we were born in a place where we were harmed by the government or persecuted for our religious beliefs. We’re all brothers and sisters and we have a duty to look after one another. #MayDayChat
To read what our colleagues from across the globe had to say, click here to read the full Twitter thread!
Thank you to HIAS and everyone who participated!