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Tag Archives Foreign workers

‘Canada’s self-image, accurate or not, is that it’s a nice country, full of nice folks. Shake that identity enough and, at some point, the results might not be pretty if you need to hire a foreign worker.’
Editorial, Op/Ed

Editor’s Take: The downside of TFW over-reliance

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Typically, when one hears ‘Canada’ and ‘slavery’ in the same sentence, it’s because the country is fighting it internationally. For example, the country intends to implement the Modern Slavery Act in January, aimed at fighting forced labour and child labour in global supply chains. That’s why the recent words of a UN special rapporteur were
Migrant workers are often unable to refuse unsafe work and are reluctant to raise health concerns or report situations of abuse.
Comment, Op/Ed, Other

Comment: Migrant farmworker issues must be addressed

Even under new rules, workers are powerless and bad employers can exploit that, say educators

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The government of Canada recently amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to include new employer obligations. These amendments are intended to enhance protections for migrant workers and ensure the integrity of the government’s temporary foreign worker program. While a step in the right direction, the changes side-step the root issues that make temporary foreign
Immigration streams need to be revamped to bring in workers who have the skillset and desire to work in agriculture and food, says a co-chair of an immigration and foreign worker group.
News, Other

National labour strategy to consider foreign worker perspectives

After about a year of meetings, working groups have split into five focus areas

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Foreign worker advocacy and Indigenous groups will be consulted as the National Workforce Strategy for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing is developed, leaders say. “It’s up to us to look at the world through their eyes and understand what do we have to change to make sure that there’s a place for them at
Farmer livelihoods will be threatened if weak visa rules allow dodgy operators to mistreat migrant workers.
Comment, Op/Ed

Comment: The perils of temporary labour

Australia’s new agricultural work visa could supercharge the forces of exploitation

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The Australian government’s new temporary visa for agricultural workers is meant to fix labour shortages in the agricultural sector. But it’s a risky approach that could lead to more exploitation of low-skilled farm workers and fewer permanent skilled workers. The agriculture sector is heavily reliant on temporary visa holders for labour, with the two main
File photo of a small greenhouse operation in Quebec. (ManonAllard/E+/Getty Images)

New pilot program for agri-food labour welcomed

Meat processors, greenhouse and mushroom growers, livestock producers get first crack at program

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Ottawa — Federal officials hope a new pilot program will help stabilize ongoing labour issues in certain sectors of the agri-food value chain, while also providing citizenship to some foreign workers. Critics, however, contend more support is needed. “This pilot will help to ensure that farmers and processors have the much-needed skills, experience and labour
File photo of cattle being rounded up at a southern Alberta ranch. (Design Pics/Getty Images)

Foreign workers starting to arrive, livestock group says

About 2,000 have recently arrived, several thousand more here soon, feeders say

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About 2,000 foreign workers have arrived in Canada in recent weeks and more should be here soon, an official with the National Cattle Feeders Association says. “There are about 4,000 more that are expected to arrive shortly, so the process is starting to work,” Janice Tranberg, the association’s president and CEO, said during a telephone
News, Other

UPDATE: Travel exception for temporary workers secured

COVID-19: Travel bans sent ag organizations scrambling to ensure seasonal farm labour would be available

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[UPDATED: March 21, 2020] Temporary foreign workers will be permitted to enter Canada, despite travel bans and border closures that, for a time, sent agriculture organizations scrambling. “The presence of temporary foreign workers on our farms and in our agrifood businesses is absolutely necessary. It is nothing more than a food security issue,” said federal
"Labour shortages in Canadian agriculture can only be addressed by taking decisive action.” – Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst, CAHRC executive director
News, Other

Farm human resources crunch to worsen

Grain, beef and horticulture production will be the hardest hit

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There are no signs that Canadian agriculture’s labour crunch will be easing any time soon. In fact a recent labour market forecast from the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council (CAHRC) suggests the situation is set to worsen sharply over the next 10 years. That will limit future growth and delay expansion plans, the group says.
File photo of a small greenhouse operation in Quebec. Greenhouse crop producers will be among the specific beneficiaries of a new federal pilot program for temporary foreign workers. (ManonAllard/E+/Getty Images)
Markets

Agriculture foreign workers get new path to residency

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Updated, July 15 — The federal government has announced a pilot program that will make it easier for farms and food companies to maintain workers they recruit from around the world. Ahmed Hussen, minister for immigration, refugees and citizenship, announced the program Friday at Maple Leaf Foods in Mississauga. Why it matters: There’s a labour

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