“‘We are the farmer’s property’: A former migrant worker on his fight for justice”

…Farming is hard work that most Canadians do not want to do. From spring to fall, SAWP migrant farm workers are paid minimum wage, without overtime. In Ontario, they are covered by OHIP, but as they live on farms without personal transportation, they’re often unable to access health care. They pay into Canada’s Employment Insurance, yet cannot draw on those benefits when needed; they are sent back home after the harvest season and are unable to file an EI claim from outside the country. And because their TFWP status is tied to the employer who brought them here, they face repatriation for speaking up against unfair or illegal work or living conditions…

In his recent memoir, Harvesting Freedom: The Life of a Migrant Worker in Canada, Gabriel Allahdua recounts a long career in agriculture and education in St. Lucia…

Now a Canadian citizen, Allahdua works for the Neighbourhood Organization, supporting migrant workers. At the start of the farm season, I spoke with Allahdua about farm work, new policies, and what needs to change moving forward….

…You’re seen as a unit of production and not a human being. Be prepared for difficult working and living conditions. Most of the time it’s overcrowded — the bedroom and kitchen situation…