不受欢迎的“勤劳者”——1915年加拿大驱逐华人洗衣馆事件之研究

Unpopular Labors——A Study of Deporting Overseas Chinese Laundry Labors in Canada in 1915

20世纪初期,洗衣工在加拿大华人职业结构中占有相当比重,成为在加华人谋生的重要出路。一战爆发后,加拿大社会经济状况不断恶化,大量白人劳工陷入失业潮,白人资本家和政客为改善失业劳工的处境,将斗争矛头指向在加华工。1915年加拿大蒙特利尔发生了一次驱逐华人洗衣馆事件。为抵制来自经济与政治方面的双重打击,华人采取了一系列应对措施。但是,在反驱逐斗争中,华人因同行业之间的恶意竞争、政党纷争等因素,致使其内部产生分裂,削弱了一致对外的力量。

Laundry labors constituted large share of overseas Chinese occupation in Canada in the early 20 th century,which was important way for overseas Chinese to make a living. With the starting of WWI,the economy in Canada was deteriorated and makes many white labors out of work. In order to provide jobs to white laborers,white capitalist and politician took steps to deport overseas Chinese labors. In 1915 there was the incident of deporting overseas Chinese laundry labors in Canada. Under this situation,overseas Chinese in Canada took a series of actions to protest their rights. However,because of vicious competitions and factionalism in different parties,overseas Chinese had conflicts in themselves which weakened their strength in the campaign of anti-expulsion.