Developing Alternative Labour Organizing and Not-for-Profit Hiring Model to End Labour Exploitation of Temporary Migrant Farm Workers in British Columbia

The Canadian agricultural industry stands out as an emblematic case among developed countries that have long relied on (im)migrant labour from poorer, non-white countries to meet its labour needs. State-sponsored programs have facilitated the legal entry of migrant labour from countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Caribbean countries, among others. However, the temporary and restricted nature of guest worker contracts have commonly resulted in wide-scale employment violations and entrenched forms of labour exploitation. International labour recruiters and sending countries embassies cannot guarantee labour rights protection, fair wages, and protection from illegal recruitment fees. Through a comparative cross-country study between the U.S and Canada, this research seeks to explore transnational labour organizing models for migrant farmworkers and outline a not-for-profit hiring model to replace existing models that tend to encourage the systemic violation of farmworkers rights. This project will provide a practical model for discussion and input for public policy design.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jennifer Chun

Student:

Partner:

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate