COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire among migrant farm workers with temporary immigration status, who work without access to any paid sick days, often inadequate protective equipment and may be housed by their employers in crowded  conditions where self-isolation is not possible.

As of June 6, over two hundred and eighty migrant farm workers have tested positive in Ontario, several are hospitalized, and two workers from Mexico -- 31 year old Bonifacio Eugenio Romero, and a 24 year old man yesterday  -- have died.

Health experts have been clear about the source of the infections: "any 'suspicion that it might have been brought from elsewhere is absolutely not true in this situation,' said Dr. Mustafa Hirji, acting medical officer of health for the Niagara region. 'We believe this is infection that was acquired through people's interaction within the community. … Living in close quarters and difficulty maintaining physical distancing at work may have been factors."

These workers – most of whom come from Jamaica and Mexico – are not only low-waged for highly-skilled and difficult work, but are also held by temporary work permits tied to their employer: where speaking up against unsafe working conditions could mean getting deported.

Migrant workers are essential workers, not expendable bodies. It is their labour that fuels the very food chain upon which we all depend, from fields and factories to grocery stores. Yet from one end of the country to the other, whether it’s meat-processing plants in Alberta or farms in Ontario, there has been a complete failure to provide safe work and decent living conditions.The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change is calling for immediate action to contain the outbreak and prevent more people from getting infected, or worse.  They have three simple demands from Ontario to contain and mitigate the crisis, and they ask that you call your MPP and support these actions.

- Suspend work at COVID-19 farms, fully disinfect and only reopen when worker safety can be guaranteed.
- Ensure income for all those impacted, including sick days.
- Ensure proper health & safety with inspections and language-appropriate information

Source: Fight for 15; Migrant Workers Alliance for Change