Caravan draws attention to migrant workers
Permanent residency sought for farm labourers
In a show of solidarity, more than 50 people turned out for a rally to bring attention to the plight of migrant workers in Niagara and across Ontario.
The caravan, including supporters from Toronto and Hamilton, began in Beamsville and wound its way along Highway 8 past farms, honking their horns to let migrant workers know they are being supported.
Sonia Aviles, a Niagara organizer with Workers Alliance for change, said the biggest problems faced by Niagara migrant workers at the moment and in the context of COVID-19 are unsafe working conditions and inability to refuse unsafe work.
“We’ve seen that in Niagara with one of the (farm) operations but we’ve seen that all over Ontario with some of the biggest operations in Canada,” said Aviles.
“We are gathering here with the community with people from outside and in Niagara to show workers that we care about their safety that we care about them, but also to demand permanent resident status so they’re able to leave bad employers.”
“A lot of things that we hear from workers is that they’re afraid because this is a deadly virus. “Their families back home depend on their income here, if they get sick oftentimes workers are left with no income.”
“We are gathering to call on Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau to grant permanent residence to all migrants who are essential to the Canadian economy who are working in construction, grocery stores or greenhouses,” said Aviles.
According to the Government of Canada, a permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries.
Workers Alliance for Change recently published a report “Unheeded Warnings” which outlines complaints from nearly 200 workers on behalf of about a thousand.
“A common complaint is how the workers feel unsafe, are not able to social distance,” said Aviles. “Particularly in greenhouses, they don’t want to speak up because they’re afraid.
“A worker speaking up means you’re going home on the next plane, it means deportation, even homelessness.”
While she said the complaints are from all over the country, the majority are from Ontario.
“It could be much more,” added Aviles. “One worker from the greenhouse can call on behalf of a dozen. There is true fear.”
This year four migrant workers have died, two of which were from COVID-19 complications, she said. One was aged 31, the other 24.
Aviles said most employers are good to the workers but some have a record of not treating them well.
“Our fight is not to the employers, the employers in Niagara are part of the economy and they give jobs.
“It is to the system that allows the employers to treat workers this way. Employers know the law, they know what they can get away with,” sahe said.
“We’re not attacking particular employers. We want the workers to be treated just the same as everybody else. We’re not asking for any privilege. We want workers to be treated with the same respect and dignity as anybody else who lives and works in Niagara.”
Caravan co-organizer Kit Andres said she heard from migrant workers as participants drove past some of the farms before ending up in front of MP Chris Bittle’s office in St. Catharines.
“I was getting messages from workers along the way saying I heard you.
“I’ve been telling them you have a lot of support even if you can’t see it.”