“Precariousness”, “dangerous work climate”, “lack of stability”, “favoritism”, “continuous stress”: the teachers responsible for the francization of immigrants in Quebec are not acting against their ministry.
We tolerate everything and we are afraid to speak, because unlike other teachers, we are considered public servantssummarizes a teacher, with more than ten years of experience in this field.
Like him, some of his colleagues who testified on Radio-Canada asked not to be identified, for fear of professional retaliation, to upset their working conditions and their relations with the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration. (MIFI).
Since the Legault government took office in 2018, tens of millions of dollars have been invested to offer francization courses to newcomers. A huge effort welcomed by these teachers, who are now demanding improvement in their own realities.
” The government offers French courses to immigrants, gives them allowances, but for us, nothing changes. “
In the eyes of the Union of State Teachers of Quebec (SPEQ), the illness is real.
Francization has become a very important issue [pour le gouvernement caquiste]including the safety of the French and the integration of immigrantsunderline Jean Vallières, the president of SPEQ.
However, he insisted, our working conditions are really backward. There really is a huge delay and the teachers are living in unacceptable conditions.
An uncertain status was denounced
According to the latest SPEQ data, only 70 of the 539 francization teachers at MIFI are in office. An uncertain status that worries many of these employees.
The duration of the francization session is 11 weeks. This is the duration of our contract. Every 11 weeks, we wait for the phone to ring. Don’t miss the callsigh of a teacher, who has worked at MIFI for many years.
But if I tell the public, I won’t be given a contracthe believes. It’s inhumane, he says. All we want is a little stability. We don’t want to work anywhere else.
In a recent internal email, after answering questions from Radio-Canada, SPEQ reminded its members of their Reserve duty and asked them to abstain contact journalists.
” This is a fact, an aberration. I am tired of the conditions imposed on us by MIFI. “
Despite the financial compensation offered by MIFI, the absence of social benefits proves rebellioussaid a colleague. We are at the end of the line.
The day I’m absent, when I’m sick, I don’t pay anythinghe says.
” We really feel we have been abandoned on all sides. We find it unfair and insulting. “
Admit it, we have a pay rise for the holidays, for example, but that doesn’t replace the pension fund. We have no guarantees and contracts can end at any time.explanation by another teacher.
Of the ongoing negotiationsaccording to MIFI
When questioned by Radio-Canada, MIFI refused to react, it was mentioned ongoing negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreementwhich expired in 2020.
An interview with Deputy Minister Benoît Dagenais, who is responsible for francization, was also declined. Every effort is being made by the government to reach an agreementwe were just told.
According to the collective agreement currently in effect and depending on their experience, these francization teachers can earn between $ 41,000 and $ 84,500 annually. Very little, says SPEQ, wants pay equality among college teachers, but re-evaluates their profession.
Francization teachers not only teach French, they are agents of integration, judge Jean Vallières. They must convey the values of our society. They need support and guidance. They have a primary role, but they don’t listen.
Source: Radio-Canada
