Migrant Worker Solidarity Network

Join us for this webinar about migrant agricultural workers and the call for Full Immigration Status for All!

https://www.cbc.ca//manitoba-migrant-worker-rights-covid-1

Join Migrant Rights Networks call for Full Immigration Status for All on June 14!

Migrant workers have been risking their lives to put food on the tables of Canadians for years. Its time we took steps to protect them especially now.

Governments of all levels must immediately ramp up health and safety protections for migrant farm workers. https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-farm-workers-det/

Migrant workers are not inherently more vulnerable to the virus, nor more likely to be carrying it than Canadians pre-screening measures mean they generally arrive healthy to Canadian farms. In fact, its their living and working situations in Canada, and their exposure to fellow travellers and community members, that put them at risk.

MEDIA STATEMENT June 3, 2020 The Migrant Worker Solidarity Network is extremely concerned with the recent outbreak of COVID-19 among migrant workers in Southern Manitoba. Approximately 500 migrant workers are annually employed at many family and mid-size farms in Manitoba. Farms employing migrant workers across the country are experiencing outbreaks.... We urgently call on the Government of Manitoba to engage in onsite, in-person inspections of all farms employing migrant workers in Manitoba. The inspections must ensure that all farms are following the necessary measures to prevent transmission of the virus among workers, including clean and accessible bathroom and handwashing facilities routine cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces and objects throughout the workday physical distancing of 2 meters between workers at all times whether outdoors, in vehicles, or in structures adequate housing and sleeping arrangements for workers that allow for 2 metre physical distancing Workers must also receive training on how to work safely and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information in the workers own languages must be provided to workers about signs and symptoms of COVID- 19, testing sites, what to do if they are sick, and their employers obligations. We also call on the federal government together with the Government of Manitoba to immediately implement 10 days of paid sick leave for all workers, including migrant workers. No worker should feel forced to work while sick due to financial pressure. While the Province of Manitoba has indicated that free health care will be provided to all those without provincial health care coverage, including some migrant workers and undocumented residents, it is urgent that this information be widely communicated with the public so those who need it are aware of this extended coverage. The Migrant Worker Solidarity Network is a group of community and faith volunteers working to support migrant farm workers in Manitoba. ###

What about migrant farm workers, Premier Pallister? Migrant farm workers pay taxes and once again are shut out of the benefits provided to other workers. Even though migrant farm workers are providing food for our province while earning minimum wage. And are at great risk of being exposed to COVID-19 due to crowded living and working conditions. Shameful. https://www.cbc.ca//manitoba/pallister-front-line-workers-

Join in for this national digital rally on June 14!

Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of this migrant farmworker who died due to COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex County, Ontario.

Today over 200 organizations called on the federal government to provide #HealthCare4All in this open letter. Migrant workers, individuals without status, rejected refugee claimants, and others lack universal public health coverage and face fear of deportation and huge debt in accessing healthcare. Only some provinces are beginning to provide care for uninsured individuals during COVID-19, but huge problems exist in communication, the extent of coverage, and policy impleme...ntation. https://migrantrights.ca/healthforall/

The new Agri-Food Pilot Program excludes seasonal agricultural workers even though these workers make up over 65% of Canadas migrant agricultural work force and are essential to the food supply. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com//new-citizenship-plan-ta

Migrant & Undocumented Workers are Essential Workers Migrants Grow Our Food Migrants Process Our Food Migrants Work in Grocery Stores Migrants Deliver Our Food... Migrants Are The Food Chain Show your support! https://migrantrights.ca/COVID19/

Today 50 elected representatives from every province are issuing a statement to PM Justin Trudeau calling for income supports and all rights for all essential workers, regardless of immigration status.

This May Day its clear - migrant and undocumented workers are essential workers. Show your support at: www.MigrantRights.ca/Covid19

This pandemic calls for transformative changes to answer the demands that migrant workers are raising on a daily basis. All of this can be addressed today through the implementation of pro-worker legislation in order to ensure fairness, respect and decency for migrant farm workers. https://bit.ly/2XSLkZd

Migrant farm workers rights must be guaranteed as part of any financial support given to the agricultural industry. Thank you to our friends at Justice for Migrant Workers, J4MW for this statement today.

Our Letter to the Editor calling for supports for migrant farm workers was published in the Winnipeg Free Press today.

The federal government must create enforcement mechanisms to ensure the rights of workers are upheld.

Unsafe housing and lack of labour and immigration rights has put migrant farm workers at immense risk. Already workers in Kelowna have become infected because of lack of enforceable quarantine requirements. We are worried about the lack of plans from the relevant health authorities to provide adequate access to healthcare for migrant workers. -Byron Cruz, Sanctuary Health, Vancouver

The Government of Manitoba urgently needs to extend provincial health care coverage to all those in the province who need it and currently are not eligible for insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, including migrant workers, international students, and undocumented migrants. IRCOM - Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba Immigration Partnership Winnipeg Migrante Manitoba Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

While the labour these workers provide is critical, the workers themselves are also critical.

Please call your MP and share! Make sure EVERYONE receives income supports for the COVID-19 response, including migrant workers and undocumented workers!

Hundreds of migrant farm workers come to Manitoba every year to work on farms.

Please sign to ensure no one is left behind in #COVID19 crisis response. Migrant and undocumented workers must be included!

"Because of their precarious legal status, these workers are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, often working for low wages, sometimes under poor and dangerous conditions, with little access to legal protection. If tragedy strikes, it can be nearly impossible for relatives to gain information about their loved one. More than 12 years have passed since Vargas Fonsecas death, for example, and his family still doesnt know exactly how he died or even where to search for answers."

Tuesday February 18 in Winnipeg!

Solidarity Action tomorrow!

All out today for Wetsuweten!

We call on the CBC to do better! Ensure inaccurate and biased reports on immigration policy are not aired in the future.

Lets work together in 2020 for migrant justice!