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THREAD: complaints obtained by the Star show a farm at the centre of a massive COVID-19 outbreak had a history of complaints from migrant workers.
Substandard housing was the most common complaint: bedbugs, overcowding, and broken amenities. https://twitter.com/fkelly25/status/1275392315046137857
Substandard housing was the most common complaint: bedbugs, overcowding, and broken amenities. https://twitter.com/fkelly25/status/1275392315046137857
Between 2016 and 2018, Scotlynn was the subject of the highest number of complaints made by Mexican workers to their own Ministry of Labour of any Canadian farm.
On Saturday, Scotlynn worker Juan López Chaparro died from COVID-19. He was a 55 year old father of four.
On Saturday, Scotlynn worker Juan López Chaparro died from COVID-19. He was a 55 year old father of four.
Scotlynn says it has taken all the necessary precautions to protect workers, including spending $700,000 quarantining them at hotels upon arrival. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/farmer-at-centre-of-local-covid-19-outbreak-spent-700000-to-isolate-workers
But across Haldimand-Norfolk, efforts to keep migrant workers safe were at times fraught. Employers appealed the health unit’s order limiting quarantine migrant workers to 3 per bunkhouse. I reviewed the extensive submissions made:
It’s important to note that this story isn’t just about Scotlynn. Prior to COVID-19, I visited a nearby farm’s bunkhouse. I counted 50 beds in the basement alone. When the pandemic hit, it’s the first place I thought about.
Critics say poor enforcement is a big part of the problem. Govnt now says its working on it
In May we revealed that a previous proposal for a national housing standard for migrant workers was never implemented after employer opposition https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/05/11/a-study-urged-better-standards-for-migrant-workers-housing-nothing-was-done-now-covid-19-has-struck.html
In May we revealed that a previous proposal for a national housing standard for migrant workers was never implemented after employer opposition https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/05/11/a-study-urged-better-standards-for-migrant-workers-housing-nothing-was-done-now-covid-19-has-struck.html
The essential piece of the SAWP program that has never changed over the years is the fact that these workers cannot get permanent status in Canada. And that, critics say, is the root cause of the problems we have seen for years:
more here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/10/10/every-spring-he-left-mexico-to-pick-crops-in-canada-one-year-he-didnt-come-home-we-expose-the-terrible-cost-of-migrant-work.html
more here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/10/10/every-spring-he-left-mexico-to-pick-crops-in-canada-one-year-he-didnt-come-home-we-expose-the-terrible-cost-of-migrant-work.html
MORE: I spoke to Scotlynn's owner today; he said he provides model accommodation to migrant workers.
“With as many workers as we have, there’s always going to be a few distraught workers. Not every review can be perfect," he said of past complaints. https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/06/23/the-owner-of-scotlynn-growers-says-he-followed-the-public-health-covid-19-guidelines-for-preventing-outbreaks.html
“With as many workers as we have, there’s always going to be a few distraught workers. Not every review can be perfect," he said of past complaints. https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/06/23/the-owner-of-scotlynn-growers-says-he-followed-the-public-health-covid-19-guidelines-for-preventing-outbreaks.html
