B.C.’s migrant farm workers in a precarious situation

Hundreds of farm workers have been thrown out of employment, due to the flooding in the Fraser Valley.

But the situation is extra precarious for temporary foreign farm workers caught up in the disaster.

Most are here for only a limited amount of time, they’ve lost their incomes, and many have lost their lodgings and personal effects.

Because of the nature of their temporary work visas, which prevent them from seeking work elsewhere, they are ineligible for Employment Insurance.

“This is very unfortunate because workers pay into EI from every paycheque, but they are not entitled to get any insurance,” says Byron Cruz, with Sanctuary Health, which advocates for migrant workers.

He figures about 600 migrant workers are affected by the flooding. Some are out of their usual accommodations, and hundreds are at shelters in Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

Others still are holed up at farms where operations have ceased.

He says the fate of the workers depends on where they are from. Mexican workers are represented by the Mexican consulate, as they are in Canada thanks to an agreement with the Mexican government. As such, the consulate can have discussions with the federal government here about financial aid, or other work for the migrants.

However, many workers are here from Guatemala and have been placed by private recruiters. But Cruz notes he has been in contact with Guatemalan officials to ask them to engage in discussions with the federal government about what steps to take to help the migrants.

Besides losing their incomes, Cruz says the workers are worried they’ll be sent back to their home countries.

“I’m afraid that could happen, because greenhouses have been destroyed. That could be the reason why workers are sent back before finishing their contract here.”

He says it wouldn’t be the first time this year catastrophic weather has sent BC’s migrant workers packing prematurely. He points out after the summer’s heat dome, many workers were laid off in the Okanagan, when crops were destroyed.

In the meantime, efforts are underway to support the workers.

“Some of them have lost their belongings and things they’ve been buying for their kids and families when they go back home, so they’ve lost that,” says Cruz.

The Migrant Rights Network is hoping to provide pre-paid gift cards to the employees who need clothing and food.

Cruz brought food to a handful of workers at an Abbotsford farm on Thursday, as he says without an income they will run out of money to buy groceries.

And how are they coping?

“They have mixed feelings. On one hand, everyone is sympathizing with their employers. But their thoughts are also on their families back home, waiting for the next paycheque and wondering when it will come.”

He hopes to reach other workers as the days go on.

“As soon as we can, we will support workers in Chilliwack, as well,” he notes. Highway One, for now, is closed for people in Metro Vancouver who want to head east into Chilliwack.