Canada: CAD 500M lawsuit against Govt. seeks to expose racial injustice against migrant farmworkers, incl. due to employer-tied work permit system
In December 2023, it was reported by Now Toronto that the federal government is being sued over claims that its migrant worker program is founded on racist principles in a proposed class-action lawsuit. In particular, the case alleges tying migrants on the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) to a specific employer is ‘fundamentally racist’, according to the article.
Goldblatt Partners, with Koskie Minsky and Martinez Law, are seeking $500 million in restitution for employment insurance paid out by migrant workers, says the article.
On 2 January 2024, CTV news includes experiences of some of the plaintiffs, including a Jamaican seasonal worker employed in Ontario who experienced various labour rights abuses, including poor living conditions, unpaid overtime, arbitrary dismissal, and poor health due to the use of pesticides. After dismissal, due to his tied work-permit, he had to leave the country without receiving employment insurance, despite premiums being withheld from his wages.
…It was horrible…They treat dogs in Canada much better than men.Jamaican migrant worker who is a plaintiff in the case.
An article published on January 3 2024 in Windsor News Today, alleges the Jamaican worker was employed by Amco, and another worker from Grenada involved in the case was a former Tilray worker.