11 Canada is amongst the preferred destinations for Jamaican farm workers. Every year, for the past 57 years, Jamaican workers have travelled to Canada alongside hundreds of thousands of individuals as part of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) established by the Canadian government in 1966. While many employers follow Canadian labour laws and treat their employees well, we hear horrible and shocking stories about the mistreatment of Jamaican migrant workers who are threatened, abused, and illegally forced to work for little to no pay. Workers may also be threatened with deportation if they choose to speak out. Jamaican migrant workers have rights and deserve fair treatment and a safe and positive working experience in Canada. “Migrant workers are essential to the Canadian economy,” stated Julia Drydyk, executive director of the Canadian Centre to End Human Traf cking. “We want migrant workers to be aware of their rights – prior to arriving in Canada – and that there are resources available should they experience mistreatment or abuse after arriving.” A growing concern in Canada, labour traf cking often goes unnoticed and unreported. It involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion and can happen in several industries, including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and domestic work. Limited knowledge about worker rights and labour traf cking in Canada prevents workers from speaking out about abusive and exploitative situations. Drydyk pointed out the importance of Jamaican migrant workers to become aware of the insidious nature of labour traf cking. “Hundreds of thousands of individuals come to Canada yearly for seasonal and agricultural work. While many employers follow Canadian labour laws and treat their employees well, there are situations where migrant workers may nd themselves mistreated, abused, and/or illegally forced to work for little to no pay. Forced labour is a form of human traf cking and is taking place in communities across Canada. Though anyone can be a victim, migrant workers are at higher risk due to precarious immigration status, isolation, and language barriers,” she said. The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (The Centre) recently launched a labour trafficking awareness campaign to educate Jamaican seasonal workers and their families, friends, and acquaintances on the signs of labour trafficking. Signs include: - Being forced to live in substandard accommodations that present health and safety concerns - Being forced to complete work outside of contractual terms - Having pay reduced or held back by an employer - Threats of deportation if workers speak up or advocate for their rights - Having passports and/or other legal documentation taken away - Discrimination, violence, and/or abuse from an employer The Centre works to empower workers with safeguards they can turn to for support, including The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline (1-833-900-1010). The Hotline is a crucial resource connecting individuals to support and services in their area; trained professionals provide information and referrals to local organizations helping with housing, legal services, medical care, and other needs. The Hotline is free, con dential, independent of government and police and accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, in over 200 languages. Support for migrant and seasonal workers is critical in the ght against human traf cking. A vital step in eradicating exploitation is simply knowing help is out there, and the Hotline is here to help. What should migrant workers in Jamaica know before travelling to Canada for seasonal work? Call the Canadian Human Traf cking Hotline if you or someone you know experience any of the following: • Are told you can’t go where you want or do what you want outside of working hours. • Have your passport, work permit or ID documents con scated by an employer. • Experience physical abuse, violence, threats • Are denied access to food or safe housing. • Are denied medical services by an employer. • Are forced to complete work outside of the agreed contractual terms. • Have your pay withheld by an employer or recruiter. How does The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking and the Hotline help those in need? The Canadian Centre to End Human Traf cking (The Centre) is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to ending human traf cking in Canada. The Centre operates the Canadian Human Traf cking Hotline, a toll-free 24/7/365 resource for victims and survivors of human traf cking or for anyone wanting to nd out more information. The Canadian Human Traf cking Hotline (1-833900-1010) is con dential and staffed by personcentred trained Team Members who do not judge. We will not involve the police or government unless we are asked to by the caller. We offer services in more than 200 languages and can connect callers with more than 900 service providers in communities across Canada. About The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking The Canadian Centre to End Human Traf cking is a national charity dedicated to ending all types of human traf cking in Canada. In 2019, the organization launched the Canadian Human Traf cking Hotline, a 24/7, multi-lingual service that can be accessed via phone, chat, webform, and email. The Centre operates as the national “backbone” organization working with survivors,non-pro t organizations, frontline service providers, all levels of government and companies, to facilitate collaboration, identify best practices, and advance change towards ending traf cking in our country. For more information on The Centre, please visit: www.canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca What are the social media accounts? Instagram: @ccteht Facebook: Canadian Centre to End Human Traf cking Twitter: @thecanadiancntr LinkedIn: The Canadian Centre to End Human Traf cking THE WEEKLY GLEANER | APRIL 17 - MAY 23, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | ADVERTISEMENT
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