Concerned about, protesters are more concerned about 'fair treatment'
The protest being held by foreign workers in Prince Edward Island against the province’s plans to reduce the number of workers it is nominating for permanent residency this year is putting their health at risk.
The protesters’ hunger strike is now nearing a full week, and the group plans to step up its protest, according to a CBC report.
"There have been no actions taken. It looks like the government has become deaf," said Jaspreet Singh Sivia, one of the people who have been speaking for the protesters, in the report.
"We will be doing a 24-hour dry hunger strike effective Tuesday if we still don't hear from the government officials. We will be there 24/7, every day."
While the protesters are concerned about how their health will fare in the hunger strike, they are more concerned about “fighting for fair treatment,” said Sivia.
This year, P.E.I. plans to nominate about 1,600 immigrants for permanent residency, down from 2,100 last year.
The protests began May 9, and there are now about 60 people involved overall. They are demonstrating in shifts with posters in hand in front of the Coles Building on the grounds of the P.E.I. Legislature.
Since Tuesday, all 60 protesters have moved full-time to that site.
The protesters are also facing conditions during the movement.
"There are some people who have been harassing us ... throwing glasses, cans on us, throwing water while people were asleep," said Rupinder Pal Singh, one of the protesters, in the CBC report. "Even we saw the harassments from people shouting, making noise all night long because we have been protesting outside, people have been sleeping."
As of Monday, however, there have not been any medical distress calls through to Charlottetown police' from the protest site, said Charlottetown police's Deputy Chief Sean Coombs, in the same report.
“We have a designated officer who remains in contact with this group and have open dialogue. The group remains peaceful and respectful of rules and law.”
