Canada Farm Work
Those who are interested in Canada farm work may want to know more about the regulations and health risks. There are a variety of issues to consider including the education requirements, housing, and migrant workers' rights. The Toronto Star article also discussed the allegations of abusive foreign workers, 12 to 14-hour shifts, and crammed housing with as few as 16 people. Some farmers have also been accused of bribery and the denial of emergency medical treatment. It is important for Canadian farmers to strike a balance between regulations regarding housing, transportation, and hours offered to migrant workers.
Health risks
There are many health risks associated with farm work in Canada, particularly among migrant farm workers. Agricultural workers face a range of hazards, including repetitive motion injuries, heat exposure, manual lifting of heavy objects, and exposure to agrochemicals. Additionally, they are often living in substandard housing in their host country. Researchers have documented poor living and working conditions in farms, including the presence of pesticide residues and rodents.
While many health conditions are common among farm workers, there are other hazards unique to this industry. For example, a study conducted by the federal government found that 40 percent of the workers' housing is dual-purpose, meaning it also serves as workplace facilities, granaries, and garages. This indicates that the workers are living in a potentially hazardous environment and have little access to health care services and health information.
Education requirements
If you have been considering working in Canada's farm industry, you've probably wondered about the education requirements for farm work. Many Canadian employers are looking for foreign labor to help out on their farms. Many farm jobs in Canada don't require an education or experience requirement, but some do. Generally, you'll need to have at least a high school diploma. If you're from another country, you can obtain a Canadian work permit by proving that you have the necessary qualifications.
In Canada, the educational requirements for farm work can range from a trades-level qualification to a college degree. In addition to technical skills, a college education can help you learn about business and management principles for running a farm. For example, you'll learn about labour relations, hedging contracts, crop insurance, and marketing strategies.
Housing
Canada farm work and housing regulations are stringent. According to a government report, 40 percent of housing units serve as both workplace facilities and living quarters. This means workers will be living in close proximity to agricultural chemicals and other hazards. Additionally, housing units are often not properly maintained. This lack of care can lead to health problems and premature death.
The government is implementing a roundtable to help improve the housing conditions for migrant agricultural workers. The program is administered by the Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (FARMS) and the National Office of the Canadian Community Development (NOC C&D). This roundtable is meant to guide local public health agencies in assessing housing conditions for seasonal farm workers.
Infections on farms with migrant workers
The government is doing its part to help protect migrant workers in Canada from a variety of illnesses. Since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Labour has completed 250 inspections and issued 200 non-compliance orders regarding COVID-19 safety protocols. But the ministry doesn't always check housing or conditions at farms that house migrant workers.
According to documents in the Ministry of Labour's files, the investigation was not conducted because the worker had not reported to the worksite. Instead, the person infected was under mandated quarantine.
Programs for hiring migrant workers
Farm workers from South and Central America and Mexico come to Canada to find work. Many are recruited by Canadian farmers to work on their farms, which helps the country's food production. These workers are trained in Canadian production techniques, and some stay on a single farm for decades. They also help fill open positions when Canadians are unable to fill them.
Programs for hiring migrant workers for farming in Canada include the SAWP, or Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. The SAWP allows farmers to hire migrant farm labor for a variety of agricultural activities, including flower production, tobacco harvesting, greenhouse work, and field vegetable harvesting. The government of Canada administers this program and works with private agencies to recruit workers.