Attention brought to migrant worker labour issues
A Harvesting Freedom caravan stood out during the Niagara Wine Festival as it brought attention to what’s being called an “invisible problem.”
The small group started out near Montebello Park holding banners and messages from migrant farm workers before jumping into the parade as it made its way down St. Paul Street.
“We’re here to make sure that migrant workers and the conditions they are facing are recognized and make sure their work is celebrated as a fundamental part of our community and the industry,” said Rose Davies, a member of Students Against Migrant Exploitation.
“They’re not covered under a lot of federal and provincial legislation, making them vulnerable to exploitation,” Davies said.
She said it depends on each farm, but there’s no protection for overtime pay, holiday pay or housing conditions.
The group, which started the caravan in Windsor, is making stops across Ontario before it reaches Ottawa.
It is calling for permanent residency upon arrival so that they would be covered like Canadian workers.
“As of now it’s a contract directly with the employer that also acts as an immigration contract, so they can’t seek employment elsewhere if the conditions are bad,” said Davies. “We can’t get an accurate number, but there are thousands in our community that are working in these conditions.
“They just want the freedom to leave poor conditions. It’s a tricky position with an employer that may be abusive or exploitive. Workers may not get paid, and they can’t leave. They can’t seek other employment, and they have this constant fear of deportation.”
Davies, who grew up here, said she didn’t know about these problems until her studies at university.
“It’s an invisible problem, but it’s something to think about.”