Concerns mount as evacuated B.C. migrant workers unable to work, ineligible for EI

Temporary foreign workers who had to evacuate farms when flooding hit southern B.C. last week are “stuck in limbo,” unable to work, and ineligible for government supports like employment insurance.

Byron Cruz with the Migrant Rights Network says grassroots efforts are ongoing to make sure workers have the basics like food, shelter, and clothing. But he says without being paid for the 40 hours of work per week they were promised, and unable to simply get a job elsewhere due to employer-specific permits — the situation is becoming more dire by the day for the workers and their loved ones back home.

“Most of the workers in shelters and other places have not been paid, and they are in huge need because they need to send that support to their families too. There are kids who are waiting in their home countries for that support,” Cruz explains.

“We see workers who have been coming for more than 30 years paying EI, they are not entitled to EI unfortunately.  There was an announcement this morning that all British Columbians who were affected by the flooding are okay to apply for the EI in terms of natural disasters. Hopefully, that translates to migrant workers too. We are hoping for more clarification about that.”

Moreover, Cruz says the current crisis underscores why organizations like his have long been campaigning for status for these workers.

“The most important part is for the federal government, is our demand for permanent residency for all migrant workers, including agricultural migrant workers, healthcare workers, domestic caregivers. Everyone should be able to apply for permanent residency regardless of immigration status right now,” he says.

“There is a need for people here. People have been working so hard, they have been named essential workers, but in reality, we are not treating them well.”

While some workers have ended up in shelters in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, Cruz says groups on the ground are working to get food to those who are isolated in individual homes or stranded on farms.

“They don’t have money and they need support. We can provide for them as long as we get enough donations of food. We are getting enough donations of clothing right now. But food is getting low.”

Information on how to donate to the relief effort is available online.

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

Meantime, a church in the Fraser Valley that works with migrant labourers is pitching in to make sure evacuees have what they need.

“They had to leave with just the shirt on their back because they were working out in the field,” says Mike Podovinnikoff with St. Anne’s Church in Abbotsford.

He got in touch with a group of 27 workers staying at the evacuation centre at the Tradex.

“We just stepped up and asked them what they needed and they, humbly, said, Not much, really. Maybe a jacket,'” he explains.

As word spread that the church was gathering donations for the workers, more offers to help came in.

“Everyone was just super helpful. Everyone stepped up, from Chilliwack all the way to Langley. I was getting calls from the Sikh community and different people. Everyone just kind of came together and word spread.”

Podovinnikoff says while the workers have essentials, he agrees with Cruz that more needs to be done to get them financial support including giving them access to employment insurance.

“Everything’s kind of up in the air because they don’t know what’s going on. They’ve missed a week’s worth of pay already. As it is almost every penny they make they get sent home. That feeds their immediate family and their extended family as well.”