Nine Okanagan growers suspended from hiring Mexican workers
Global News has reported that the Mexican Consulate is refusing to send workers to nine Okanagan farms this season, including A & M, over allegations of poor living conditions.
“We believe that no human being should be subject to living in a house that is infested with rats, that is covered with mold, that is overcrowded, or they don’t even have a common place to do their laundry,” said Hugo Velazquez with the Mexican Consulate General in Vancouver. “This is just unacceptable for anyone working 10 to 12 hours in the sun or in the rain.”
Employment and Social Development Canada cannot comment on specific cases but said it is improving Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program through increased inspections.
“The cornerstone of the compliance regime of the TFW Program is employer inspections, which serve to protect TFWs from abuse and exploitation, and to protect the integrity of the Canadian labour market by encouraging employers to comply with Program conditions,” said spokeswoman Julia Sullivan.
source: globalnews.ca
