Abuse. Or Deportation

The Toronto Star's edition of Oct.7 continued its series of exposures of the abuse migrant workers are subject to in the Canadian food industry. To read the complete article, the star.ca. I will mention a few significant points here.

Many female workers are exposed to sexual abuse and are afraid of complaining to the authorities because their boss will immediately fire them and they will lose their right to be in Canada. When some want to complain they find a grey area of responsibility between the federal and provincial governments. The federal one has to ensure the employers live up to the terms of their Labour Market Impact Assessments, which means they have to explain why they were unable to recruit Canadians for a job and are paying them the agreed wages.

It was reported that Employment and Social Development Canada does not, to put it bluntly, get-stuck-in. They conduct few on-site inspections and fewer interviews. They have though received tips on their hot line about employers lack of regard for safety, poor living conditions for the workers and threats of deportation. So whatever rights they have become meaningless when faced with the fear of deportation.

Furthermore Ontario is the only province in Canada where agricultural workers cannot form a union. It all reads like a chapter from Steinbecks, Grapes of Wrath, which shows how little things have changed. You may say, something should be done about it, and you would be right -- something can be, but it won't be under capitalism.

For socialism, 

Steve, Mehmet, John & all contributing members of the SPC.