Hundreds of Black and Brown migrant farm workers are contracting COVID-19 in Canada because of conditions like this. The following video was shared with us by a worker and shows how twelve men are currently crammed into a room separated by flimsy pieces of cardboard. Stay tuned — we’ll be naming this employer soon.
Meanwhile, seasonal agricultural workers coming to Canada from Jamaica have been required to sign a waiver releasing the Jamaican government from liability if they’re exposed to COVID-19.
How many more exposés are needed before the government takes real action? It’s time for the federal government, Ministry of Labour and public health to show that they value the lives of people of colour from the Global South. They need to take action stop the spread of this pandemic.
Migrant workers are demanding permanent status on arrival in Canada. It’s time to end the differential treatment farm workers face in Canada, including exemptions from employment protections that other workers can access.
Please sign our petition here.
Why are workers from Haïti excluded from this program?
When will the farm be named?
What Farm is this
Signing this petition however, your opening statment
“Hundreds of Black and Brown migrant farm workers”
Umm why do you have to comment on the colour of their skin? That seems very unnecessary.
Hi Christa, thanks for your comment. It is important to specify that racialized migrants, and specifically Black and Latinx workers, are bearing the brunt of these conditions because this is one of countless examples of structural racism. This is not by accident. Lots of great resources on ‘colorblind ideology’ on Google in case of interest. Thanks again for your support!
Racialized should be enough
Why push the race card and feed into the growing division of humanity by starting this article with black and brown workers.
Why not call them what they are migrant workers. I know why, it’s because you want to push an agenda that’s full of hate. Shame on this writer and shame on anyone who supports this article.
If it was written with class and showed the conditions that these workers (who by the way some are also white)have to live in instead of making it a race thing then maybe just maybe it would have gotten a better point across.
Hi Maria, thanks for your comment. It is important to know that organizing for racial justice is an expression of love and valuing the lives of people who have been dehumanized. Racism exists, and naming it is not about sowing divisions — it is about facing injustices. It is important to specify that racialized migrants, and specifically Black and Latinx workers, are bearing the brunt of these conditions because this is one of countless examples of structural racism. This is not by accident. Lots of great resources on ‘colorblind ideology’ on Google in case of interest. Thanks again for your engagement!