Canada Accused with Discrimination Of Migrant Workers

WhatsAppWhatsAppFacebookFacebookTwitterTwitterPinterestPinterestRedditRedditGmailGmailShareShare

Last updated on September 20th, 2023 at 11:20 am

The Covid-19 situation has led to an unprecedented increase in intake of migrant workers in risky working conditions.  Canada is also reportedly employing such at farmlands to meet the now increasing need for fresh fruits and vegetables.  Most of the migrants workers picked under the federal worker scheme are from Mexico, who have not been allowed to move out of the farms they employed in, much before the Covid-19 related lockdowns started. The same rule has not been made applicable on their Canadian counterparts.

Even if they have not contracted the virus, they continue to be held at the farm lands, now allowed to venture out and meet with anyone else.  While the Canadian government is said to have made allowances to maintain health and safety of migrant workers, the money put aside for these 1000 or more workers on temporary visas, do not get any benefits of that money. The money is supposed to provide migrant workers with quarantine facilities, hotel stay, etc. Instead, advocates say that the money has been utilized to meet their financial requirements.

Human rights activists have been pushing for Justin Trudeau’s office to convert temporary visas to permanent ones for such migrant workers who become victims at the hands of oppressive employers.  With permanent residency, these migrant workers can look for alternate employment, if need be.

For more than 50 years Canada has allowed farms to hire workers from countries including Mexico, Guatemala and Jamaica. About 60,000 workers come to Canada each year, with numbers increasing in response to domestic labour shortages and growth in exports. In turn, billions of dollars of farm produce is exported to the US each year.

Despite everything said and done, there is no semblance of equality amongst the federal skill workers and Canadians themselves. A sense of exploitation, lack of respect, access to decent living conditions is common amongst the migrants working in Canadian farms. A sense of discrimination still prevails and the government doesn’t seem to be able to stop this.

About U.J.M

Embark on an enlightening journey with U.J.M, a storyteller weaving tales that spotlight the intricacies of workers' rights. Through concise narratives, U.J.M seeks to foster understanding and inspire change, advocating for a world where every worker's dignity is upheld.

U.J.M

Embark on an enlightening journey with U.J.M, a storyteller weaving tales that spotlight the intricacies of workers' rights. Through concise narratives, U.J.M seeks to foster understanding and inspire change, advocating for a world where every worker's dignity is upheld.

Recent Posts

Dominica Grants 30 Day Visa Free Entry to Maldivians – Details Inside

In a move intended to strengthen diplomatic relations and convenience of travel, the Maldives and Commonwealth of Dominica have now…

July 10, 2025

Microsoft Mandates AI Training for All Employees – What It Means for Your Career

Microsoft's expectations are going up as training on AI is now a requirement for all employees. An internal memo states…

July 10, 2025

Trump Administration  Plans to Lay Off 2,000+ NASA Employees – Find Out Which Roles Are Affected

According to internal documents leaked to Politico, the Trump administration is planning to terminate over 2,145 senior level NASA employees.…

July 10, 2025

New US Visa Rules: $250 Integrity Fee Announced for Non-Immigrant Applicants from 2026

Starting in 2026, the United States will charge a required Visa Integrity Fee of $250 for non-immigrant visa applicants for…

July 9, 2025

Qatar’s New Hiring Law Prioritises Locals: What Employers and Expats Must Know

In a major step towards worker nationalisation, Qatar's new Law No. 12 of 2024, which is effective from April 2025,…

July 9, 2025

Govt Mandates e-Service Book from 2025- Key Changes for Central Employees

In a noteworthy digital reform, e-Service Books will be mandated for all ministries and departments of the central government beginning…

July 9, 2025