[Tap here to sign the petition]
The Minister of Labour in Jamaica, Pearnel Charles Jr., recently promised to open the overseas farmwork program to people with disabilities and create an even larger pool of workers to abuse and exploit. Does that sound fair to you?
Keep reading for 2 simple actions you can take!
1.Watch this video to learn 3 reasons why this promise is not the progressive measure the Ministry claims it to be:
2. Sign the petition below to send a message to Minister Charles – tell him to treat farmworkers fair! We want an end to the unfair practice of blacklisting, which bans farmworkers who get injured or speak up about our rights as humans and workers. Scroll down to sign or tap here to read the full petition.
Because migrants are denied permanent status in Canada, seasonal migrant farmworkers are forced to depend on our bosses to get requested back to the country each year. We are threatened with being banned (blacklisted) from the farmwork program if we speak up about abuse and unsafe conditions.
This unfair practice of blacklisting will end – but only if we take action together today!
We are uniting as migrant farmworkers to call on the Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles Jr. to:
- Meet with Migrant Workers Alliance for Change farmworker members and listen to workers’ concerns;
- End the discriminatory practice of blacklisting, as directed by migrant farmworkers;
- Create an ombuds office at the Ministry of Labour to support farmworkers who have not been requested back by their employer, and to facilitate placement on another farm;
- Call on the Canadian government to grant permanent resident status to all migrants on arrival, including seasonal farmworkers.
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