Farm workers honoured with night of appreciation

Printed Aug 30, 2024 • Final up to date Sep 02, 2024 • 2 minute learn

Jorge Guevara, proper, mentioned he and his mates, from the Mexico Metropolis space, had been happy a couple of Migrant Employee Appreciation Day held Thursday night in Simcoe and proud to be a valued a part of the meals supply system in Ontario. Susan Gamble jpg, SR, apsmc

With out the migrant farm employees who come to Canada annually, fruit and vegetable costs in Ontario would skyrocket, mentioned Joanne Corridor, a volunteer eventually week’s Migrant Employee Appreciation Day.

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The Thursday night occasion in Simcoe included a free dinner, dessert and all kinds of swag from organizations that help, inform and shield migrant or off-shore employees within the space.

“The more that people know what these men and women do for us, the better it is for all,” mentioned Corridor, a volunteer in this system that gives weekly meals, clothes and toiletries.

“I say to everyone ‘Did you have fruit or vegetables today?’ because, without these workers, we we wouldn’t have those, or we’d be paying sky-high prices.”

For the tons of of largely males who attended the appreciation occasion, it was an opportunity to take pleasure in one of many weekly meals they didn’t should cook dinner themselves whereas socializing with others on the Trinity Anglican Church, which supplies the venue.

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However the occasion additionally introduced in group companions as various as the general public library to well being organizations and firefighters, every bearing small presents for the employees.

“We want to show our appreciation for everything they do,” mentioned Diana Rueda, the organizer of the occasion.

A co-ordinator with Huron Farm Employees, Rueda mentioned the appreciation night time featured possibilities to win a bicycle, clothes and a microwave oven, together with the meal and regular hygiene objects.

“These workers come here, some for eight or nine months, and there’s a lot of loneliness. It’s just work, work, work,” mentioned Rueda.

“Many of them have babies born while they’re away and they can’t see their families. We just want them to see that we know they’re here.”

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The Grand River Neighborhood Well being Centre was connecting with as many employees as doable, handing out sunscreen and shampoo and doing blood strain checks.

“Our goal is to provide health-care services to all the workers who come here to support agricultural production,” mentioned Carly Watson, this system supervisor for a global agricultural program at GRCHC.

Whereas all farm employees have entry to well being care via OHIP, some have bother getting a possibility to attach as a consequence of time restrictions or transportation.

The Toronto-based TNO (The Neighbourhood Group) helped fund the appreciation night time and has ongoing workers supporting the wants of migrant employees.

“We want them to know their rights, share information, help them adjust into their communities and hold events like this to connect to their communities,” mentioned Jennifer Rajasekar from TNO.

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And such occasions assist elevate group consciousness so Ontario residents keep in mind the important function migrant employees play within the meals system, she mentioned.

Jorge Guevara mentioned he and his mates, from the Mexico Metropolis space, did really feel appreciated by the occasion.

“I’ve been coming to Canada for 11 years. Five of them at the same (tobacco) farm. We were talking about this appreciation and said it is fantastic. We are always happy every Thursday or Friday (to come to the meals.)”

Guevara mentioned it made them proud to know individuals acknowledge the vital function the employees play in Ontario’s meals system.

“Every year when I come to Canada for work, I send money to my family. In Mexico, it’s difficult for us to find a good job, so here, it’s good.”

SGamble

@EXPSGamble

A drop-in dinner and probability to select up free presents from group companions and win bikes or new clothes was anticipated to attract as much as 500 migrant farm employees from the fruit and vegetable farms round Simcoe on Thursday.Susan Gamble jpg, SR, apsmc Troy Mundly, left, from the Dominican Republic, received a blood strain test by Eliseo Martell, a well being promoter with the Grand River Neighborhood Well being Centre on Thursday as a part of the Migrant Employee Appreciation Day held to honour the function of off-shore employees.Susan Gamble jpg, SR, apsmc Roxan Spencer, left, and Warren Anderson chatted to Nomvelo Dingani, an African Caribbean group outreach employee with the Constructive Well being Community, on Thursday at a Migrant Employee Appreciation Day held at Trinity Anglican Church in Simcoe. jpg, SR, apsmc Volunteers staffed a busy kitchen that was getting ready to serve as much as 500 dinners on Thursday night time on the Migrant Employee Appreciation Day held at Trinity Anglican Church in Simcoe.Susan Gamble jpg, SR, apsmc