BC Agriculture Council and the Western Agriculture Labour Initiative are preparing to survey temporary foreign workers this summer in an effort to understand how employers can improve workers’ experience and reduce complaints. “The goal of the work is to collect anonymous information directly from workers on their experience in BC,” a bulletin circulated to fruit growers this week says. “At …
Western Agriculture Labour Initiative
Provincial employer registry backlogged
What should have been the smoothest start to the season after three years of pandemic-related hurdles for growers who employ foreign workers has been bumpier than expected. With regulators keeping closer tabs on hiring protocols, many farm employers in BC found themselves barred from filing applications to source workers from overseas last fall until they …
SAWP leeway sought
With applications now being accepted for seasonal workers arriving in 2021, farm leaders are stepping up efforts to negotiate entry restrictions on returning workers. Many nursery operations requiring workers in the opening days of January but the requirement for foreign arrivals in Canada to self-isolate for 14 days could delay when they start work. To …