Trinis willing to work on Canadian farms despite covid19

Sidique Ali Hosein, from Tabaquite, is one of more than 100 farm workers who want to travel to Canada to be a part of its seasonal fruit-picking programme. He has been a migrant worker for seven years in Ontario at Schuyler Farms. It is hard work, but Hosein says if they get permission to leave TT, they have a better chance of providing for their families.

He is prepared to sign a waiver indemnifying the State against liability if he contracts covid19 there. He is one of over 150 migrant workers who wrote to Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus on Friday asking for her ministry to facilitate their departure. Attorney Gerald Ramdeen told the minister Schuyler Farms wants to hire the men, but the ministry has not fulfilled the requirements for them to travel to Canada.

“You must understand that the employment of these persons as part of this programme is time-sensitive, having regard to the nature of the task that they are required to undertake as part of their employment,” Ramdeen said. TT’s borders remain closed until May 15, although National Security Minister Stuart Young is assessing applications for exemptions. On Tuesday, Baptiste-Primus responded to the pre-action protocol letter. She said the workers’ letter had been sent to the Ministry of the Attorney General for advice and response. She added that her ministry was in the process of giving instructions and a “substantive response would be forthcoming at the earliest.”

Ramdeen told Newsday he was prepared to allow the minister a reasonable period of time to resolve the issue but warned otherwise he is prepared to go to court.

“This is one issue that I will not allow to rest. All that the farmers are asking for is an opportunity to be allowed to earn an honest living and provide for their families,” he said.

In an interview with Newsday on Tuesday, Hosein said he and his colleagues know they will be going to Canada at their own risk.

Last week, 17 Jamaicans working on a farm in Ontario were reported to have contracted covid19. They were asked to sign a waiver before they left Jamaica and although they were told the choice was theirs, there are reports in the Jamaican media that they are now regretting having done so. The waiver absolves the Jamaican and Canadian government of responsibility “for any cost, damages and/or loss that may occur or be incurred” as a result of any exposure to covid19.

Hosein said although it was unfortunate for the Jamaicans, the local contingent also know they will be going at their own risk.

“Most of us will protect ourselves the best we can when we get there,” he said. He suspects many of his colleagues will be willing to sign the waiver, since “it would be in the best interest of all of us.”

He said Schuyler Farms already has everything in place for their arrival. They will be quarantined for 14 days when they get there.

“And we will be paid for the 14 days.” Hosein said the farm also has health coverage for workers in the event they get covid19.

He and many of the others do not qualify for any of the government’s covid19 grants and if they get the virus in TT, they will be a burden on the local health care system.

“If we are allowed to go and, God forbids, one of us contracts covid19, we will have access to one of the best health care systems in the world,” he said.

“If we leave, we have a better chance to earn a living for our families. We are prepared to work,” he said.

“Most of us will protect ourselves the best we can,” he said. Hosein said some of the other farms that are part of the programme employ the best standards for migrant workers, including giving each of them their own room. Hosein said migrant workers on these farms have been classified as essential workers by the Canadian government and he and his group already have charter flights on standby for when they receive clearance from TT’s government.

Hosein said it was a joy to be a part of the programme. He is gone for eight to nine months and he said what motivates him to return every year was the ability to learn something new.

Apart from paid health care, he receives a pension, and “the money is good.”

“I won’t go if there are no rewards.”

For him, it is not very hard work. “Yes, it is physical labour. Some people think of it as a vacation and are not prepared for the physical labour, the long days, and being away from their families.

“It is how you choose to adapt.”

He said over 5,000 Trinidadians apply annually for the programme and many do not need to find work locally when they return. On average, a farm worker is paid an hourly rate of between CAN$17.72-23.56, a bonus, and a pension.

The Labour Ministry facilitates the application process, which includes help with getting work permits so that the workers do not have to go individually to the Canadian High Commission with their applications, and the payment of fees.

Eleven Caribbean countries participate in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker programme and recruit workers on behalf of Canadian farms.

A Canadian Government website says the programme operates according to bilateral agreements between Canada and participating countries, and the foreign participating governments are required to recruit and select the workers, make sure they have the necessary documents, maintain a pool of qualified workers and appoint representatives to assist them in Canada.