We interviewed 151 Migrant Agricultural Workers (MAWs) in Ontario and British Columbia and consulted with hundreds more.
Explore our findings at a glance
Examples of common housing concerns
- Loneliness and lack of communication
- Employer surveillance
- Overcrowding and lack of privacy
- Lack of recreational facilities
- Nowhere to store food & belongings
- Inadequate ventilation
- Exposure to pests and hazards
- Significant physical health threats
“Please just do the right thing and put the housing situation in the way it’s supposed to be. Giving someone a room because at least, you know, you deserve to have a bit of comfort. I mean, even if you think l’m not human, then I mean, give me a space so I can even change myself properly. It would be nice to be able to change myself without being embarrassed about what is happening at the moment. You know?”
Jamaican SAWP Worker
Examples of common barriers to reporting
- Precarious immigration status
- Economic need
- Fear of employer reprisal including being fired for making complaints
- Lack of support and assistance from consulate and/or liaison representatives
“Pues, sí, eso es lo que me gustaría, que no nos calláramos, que dijéramos que no realmente es esconder la verdad detrás de la mentira, que todos alzaran la voz y dijeran que vivimos, algunos, en pésimas condiciones; otros más que otros. Y que no nos quedáramos callados, pero desgraciadamente a veces nos callamos por miedo al mismo gobierno de nuestros países, a veces al no regresar, a veces a que el programa te pueda sacar y ya no tener más la oportunidad de regresar. Son miedos.”
Mexican SAWP Worker with Indigenous Ancestry
Examples of some desired changes
- Unannounced housing inspections
- Centralized location (not on employer’s property)
- Privacy and personal space including individual beds, adequate storage, and adequate washroom facilities
- Proper upkeep and maintenance (regular enhancements)
- Adequate ventilation including air conditioning & heating
“I really believe that these people, that these inspectors, when they are going to check these places, I don’t believe that they should give them a heads up that they are coming. Because they’re just warning them to fix up because that is what they do every year. I’ve been working there for like five years and all I’ve been doing – has been happening is the same thing over and over. When it’s time. they fix up. And when it’s not, everything is just, it’s not good. It’s not as cute as they fix it or, you know, and it would be nice to, for a change, if you’re leaving your home. I mean, we don’t live in trees. Apparently they think we do. And we’re actually used to beds and stuff. We actually have nice home and nice stuff. So we’re used to things.”
Jamaican SAWP Worker
