When Nuncio Fuentes (not his real name) first came to Canada as a migrant worker, his boss made him spray pesticides on the fields where he worked without wearing a respirator.
He knew it wasn’t right and could harm his health. Or even kill him. But he wanted to do something.
After all, it’s a job that somebody has to do, he says. Often without proper training or certification in how to properly handle the chemicals.
And his boss tells him he has to do it or he’ll be sent home.
He now feels “different” in his body. So he realizes something went wrong.
“A lot of people are being abused when we are just trying to earn an honest wage to take care of our family,” he says.
Every year, many migrant farm workers are forced to come to Canada in the hopes of giving their families a better life.
Made to endure 12-hour days, low wages, poor working conditions and the constant fear of being deported, fighting for the same rights and protections afforded other workers is almost impossible.
As dozens of supporters mourned the deaths of 11 migrant workers who were killed last week when their van went through a stop sign and collided with a truck near Hampstead, Ontario, the group renewed its call for better protections for migrant farm workers as well as an inquest into the deaths of Paul Roach, 44, and Ralston White, 36, who died in the fall of 2010 after being overcome by fumes from a vinegar vat at a farm near Ayton, Ontario.
“We must make changes to ensure proper and safe transportation of migrant workers,” says Gabriella, a member of the Workers’ Action Centre.
“The Ministry of Labour has to be on the ground inspecting workplaces to ensure migrant workers have a safe and fair working environment.”
In addition to facing unsafe working conditions, many migrant workers pay thousands of dollars in fees to recruiters in order to obtain employment in Canada.
“This keeps workers in debt and afraid to speak out about working conditions,” she says.
In the last six years, the Industrial Accident Victims Group of Ontario, a legal aid clinic that works with low income injured workers, has looked closely at the cases of migrant workers.
“What we have seen is horrendous,” says Jessica Ponting, a community legal worker at the clinic.
“The Workers Compensation Insurance Board tells workers that they’re cut off compensation because they can’t work here.”
In memory of the 10 migrant workers that died last week, candles were lit and placed on the sidewalk near the steps leading up to the the Ministry of Labour building at 400 University Avenue.
“How many more candles are we going to light this year?” asks Deena Ladd, Coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre.
“Absolutely no more. This is it. We cannot have any more workers dying on the job.”
Click here to see more photos from the rally and march.
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