Unethical Summerland Orchardists and Farmers

[NextGen]

Many Migrant and Quebec farm workers who come to B.C every year aren't given proper safety training, live in hot and cramped quarters, have no access to clean water and see their health suffer as a result, In Summerland BC, recently have had some issues with local farmers or orchardists. These are not the first complaints here in Summerland, there is our good farmers and yet there is a growing concern of abuse of these workers locally. I think this is inhumane and mistreatment of workers and this needs to stop.

This was posted on Facebook I thought I should share it and hopefully this gets addressed to the proper authorities. I have left the individuals names out this article.

I've been asked for help by some Mexican migrant workers, here in Summerland BC. They are living in a building with an open sewer and no running water. One outhouse for 23 men and working 4:30 am to 10:10 pm. Right here in Summerland. I have one lead on a volunteer organization in Penticton, but does anyone know what official agency I can report to on behalf of these men?


Thanks everyone. Without disclosing details that would harm the farm workers, I just want to thank you for your comments. The farm workers we met were so encouraged! There has been amazing progress since last night. Most of the workers stood together and said they would leave if nothing changed. The owner acted. As of today, the City of Summerland has stepped in and is completing the building inspection so that the services can be hooked up to the trailer. They have also contacted the agriculture dept. who will be doing an inspection as well. The workers were also given some time to sleep this morning, and although we couldn't wake them to see the sleeping conditions, we did see the trailer's living room with no furniture and the kitchen. It is plain, but totally fine once services are hooked up. We brought food for today but there was no power for the fridge. We were able to get ice from the owner's house. The owner put 2 fridges outside this week, however it gets minimal use because people have been stealing the food out of them. The porta potty was full, and is now being emptied. The only water/shower access is a hose outside. The Mexicans were taking bucket showers in the trailer. Hopefully they will be connected ASAP. Global TV is investigating as well. The farm workers don't want to burn this farmer at the stake, but they want the public to be aware and send a message to our government that they should not be issuing licenses to farmers to import farm workers until their facilities have been inspected. These people do not have a phone nor do they have the Internet to call for help. They are miles from town. Even if they could, they don't speak a word of English and so become virtual slaves. As for future help, the workers would like to have someone drop in from time to time. We are willing to do so. If anyone speaks spanish really well, pm me as well. They cannot afford fresh vegetables, so if you have access to some, pm me and we will deliver them. The owners were told that advocates for migrant workers would be visiting the farm, and so they saw us arrive today. Thank you for your help. Please be sure to say "hola" to these men if you see them downtown. Let's show them that not all Canadians will let them down. We have been told that the Mexicans at this farm are hard working, quiet men, sending home money to their families. They have been a great asset to this farmer, and do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Without these men, who would provide our fresh fruit and veggies? Gracias!

August 01 2014
My thoughts are, I am certainly glad that there was some help for these migrants TFW's but I do believe that all working farms should be inspected periodically in Summerland that choose to outsource their employment. I would hope that local farmers would hire local and Canadians we too need jobs and we too need to feed our families.

August 02 2014
Update. The farm worker who contacted us has been fired for reporting to the Agriculture Dept. In reality, it was the building inspector who reported the farmer. Early this morning the farmer sprayed pesticides all around the area where the pickets were sleeping in their hammocks. They are complaining of nausea etc. The police cannot help in this situation. We are going to drop off some fresh produce this morning and touch base with the worker who is packing to leave. We really don't know what to do.

August 02 2014

Continued; The gentleman who was fired is staying here until he can report to all the agencies, including city hall, Global TV again, and a list of govt. agencies we found online that handle these complaints.
Everything seems stable at the moment, no one we saw needed a ride to the ER. The living conditions are the same as the last time. We will continue to check in with them. The nice part is that this gentleman is so impressed with the good people of our town that he wants to move here permanently.

To answer your question about the police, he told me "We can't help them, this is a civil dispute and a moral issue, so their hands are tied. He directed me to Worksafe BC. We will continue to drop off any fresh produce you may have in your garden.


August 11 2014

Latest update on Mexican seasonal workers. Along with two translators we were able to secretly meet the two Mexicans last night and then with the help of the police, escort them from the farm this morning. The farmer had forbidden them to speak with us or leave the farm yesterday. We returned this afternoon to pick up their checks. After 1.5 hours of negotiation, they have been paid in full and are now living with us until the Mexican consulate gives us direction. Neither Global nor the Summerland Review has picked up the story. Even though Global did come and do an interview with the Canadian picker. Dan Albas contacted me and he has all the information he needs to contact both the local and provincial bodies that oversee this seasonal worker program. Dan is determined that not one more person will suffer like this in Summerland. Thank you!! Our Mayor Janice Perino is also aware and concerned. Thank you for your help in this matter. I encourage everyone to contact their local MLA and anyone else who will listen, to put pressure on our govt. to enforce farm inspections before importing people to work. It is possible that at some point in the future we will organize a meeting to voice our concerns. I will post it here for those interested. If you want to send a note of encouragement to these wonderful men - post below and I will have it translated to them tomorrow.

THINGS NEED TO CHANGE

[Thinktank]

THINGS NEED TO CHANGE

There is a law in BC that says you can't spray pesticides without taking a Pesticide Applicator Certification course.

I wonder how many orchardists tell their workers to do the spraying without taking the course?
I bet there's a lot.

No one ever checks. I wonder what the penalty is?

[LANDM]

Are these workers legally brought in as temporary foreign workers? If so, the accomodations, pay, conditions etc. are well regulated. If they are illegal workers, then...not so much.

[NextGen]

Are these workers legally brought in as temporary foreign workers? If so, the accomodations, pay, conditions etc. are well regulated. If they are illegal workers, then...not so much.

They were legally brought here. Vineyards Owners and Orchards Farmers (The Employers) are not regulated enough, this has been a huge discussion these past 2 years. It is common knowledge that there is NOT enough regulation and governing bodies to implement and make sure that farmers comply with rules and regulations. I am not only talking about TFW's I am discussing all workers including the ones that come from Quebec.

In my earlier post, did you read why these TFW's are having trouble letting the public know,

Latest update on Mexican seasonal workers. Along with two translators we were able to secretly meet the two Mexicans last night and then with the help of the police, escort them from the farm this morning. The farmer had forbidden them to speak with us or leave the farm yesterday

The farmer is stopping all forms of communication to the public, we are thankful someone has intervened to help and protect some of these workers that are in Summerland.

[coolworx]

Not to mention...
These folks end up living, illegally, down at the Esplande (also known as the "hobo trails").

Frankly, I'm sick and tired of packing bags of trash from these "pickers", and it's about damn time that the orchardists take responsibility for their workers' living quarters.

Stop using the rest of the valley as your bunk house.

[0gopogo]

...."Stop using the rest of the valley as your bunk house....."

I thought the pickers only left a mess in the orchards where they're picking/living. I didn't realize they're polluting all over the place. Gross.

There's lots of orchards on Giants Head Rd....just drive by and you'll see garbage piles in the orchards.
The other day 5 French workers were hitchhiking so I stopped and they jumped in the back of my truck. One sat in the front-I asked him why all the mess in the orchards - in broken English he said "we don't care".

So...there you have it. They don't care.

[Xia33]

I think there is a big difference between Canadian "pickers" and the Mexican workers. The workers in my area are hard workers, respectful and are only here to take money home to their families....and yet are treated in town like they are low life's. I have stepped in before on their behalf be it a language barrier or simply rudeness. In my experience with them if you give respect, you get it back ten fold. I would hazard a guess that 90% are legal workers. Yes, they are seasonal workers the same as the "pickers" but do a completely different job, near as I can see in my area. I know nothing of the Quebec pickers, but would guess most are young, ready to party, enjoy the weather and make a little money on the side and, as stated in a previous post "they don't care"......Not so with the Mexican workers....generally.

[NextGen]

A continuation of what has been happening in Summerland the last 48 hrs

Did a Canadian Government Official under law or a Mexican direct you to not post the name, this all sounds fishy to me... ie staying at your house and not under some kind of BC or Federal funding, knowing the farms name will would be public info so locals if they choose can avoid his business. Either way thanks for helping them out.

Someone from Labour Standards contacted me after I called them. After our conversation I asked for advice on whether I could be sued for publishing the name on FB. They suggested it would be safer for me if I talk to the press and let them publish the name. They are staying at our house because we offered our home. We have been missionaries in Mexico and have a heart for Mexicans. We don't need or want their help for a couple of nights. It has been our pleasure. Dan Albas was in Summerland, and it has become common knowledge at city hall who this farmer is. Feel free to call them. There aren't many farms here with Mexicans, and if you know the farms, it is easy to figure it out. I wish I could help people choose the best farm, but I heard this farmer picks for 12 orchards, so I have no idea what to suggest. What I do know is that Dan Albas is determined to have this person banned from the seasonal workers program because of his abuse. You can also call him and ask. Dan Ashton is contacting me tomorrow as well. Hopefully soon, you can buy fruit from any farmer in Summerland.


The Mexicans have decided that they will not speak to Global or CBC. They told me via a translator yesterday that they are afraid of being banned from the seasonal farm worker's program. They worked in Ontario before during a time when some Mexicans spoke out on a documentary about abuses there and somehow they were banned from returning to Canada. Everything is processed through the Mexican Consulate in Canada. All that I can presume is that this was a huge embarrassment for the Mexican Govt. and that they wanted them silenced. These men have wives and 7 children between them. In Mexico, farm workers make $10 a day. There is no welfare system and there are fees and uniforms for public school. So even though they get minimum wage here, for them it is a lot of money and it provides a future for their children.

It's great that something has been done! I saw two of them at nesters shopping last week, they looked a bit scared and confused. All the best to them and their children.


Dan Albas is joining the Mexicans and I at Mayor Janice Perrino's office this afternoon at 3:30 today. If anyone wants to meet them or ask them any questions we will be sure to make ourselves available after the meeting. The photos below show their conditions and have been forwarded to all of the appropriate agencies overseeing the seasonal workers program including our local Fruit Grower's Association.

Eventually we will find out who this Employers is and if he is running 11 orchards, I can guarantee we have a bigger problem here then we realized. Best case scenario that the name of the company will be released in the next few days.

[NextGen]

Continuation From Poster

We had an amazing meeting with our Mayor Janice Perrino and our MLA Dan Albas. Janice was so tearful she could hardly speak as she and Dan apologized on behalf of Summerland for their horrible treatment. They promised to do everything in their power to make sure that this farmer is investigated for both provincial and federal crimes. Our new Mexican friends were in tears as well. They are so grateful for the outpouring of friendship in this community. There was a change and they are now going to a good farm in Surrey on Saturday instead. Dan called the consulate to make sure that these men are not penalized for speaking out. Tonight we put the problems aside and took them for a drive in our rv to a beach and had an evening of good food and laughter. Jose's health is so much better as well. We are so happy to see smiles return to their faces.

Many of us are glad that there has been reassurance that these foreign workers have been taken care of. As for the farmer we would still like to know the name of this individual.

[Daspoot]

I vote the plural nouns in the title be made singular so as not to include all Orchardists and Farmers in Summerland as this issue speaks to one person/family, not all.

If matters are truly as you present them, then you are doing a great thing NextGen. Karma will smile on you for it.

[NextGen]

I cant take credit I am just sharing the information, other residents in Summerland have taken the task upon themselves to help intervene and rescue these individuals.

Why I have it in plural, is that there are 12 other Orchards that are under the same care, probably different Owners. Regardless it you own these Orchards and whoever you have working for you to manage your Vineyard or Orchard, you too are responsible for the care of all your employees.

It is nice to hear that we have some great volunteers in Summerland, who go over and beyond to help others. You hate hearing that this is happening, I am glad that we have people in place to take charge and remedy the situation. I just hope that others Employers hear this story and realize that this cant continue and we all deserve respect and rights no matter what job or position you have anywhere.

[Daspoot]

Ahh, it was my understanding it was one owner with multiple orchards/farms. I hate to see good owner/operators painted with the same brush as those not treating the workers with respect and within the laws.

[rubato]

One has to wonder if the operator in question is the one taken away in an RCMP cruiser on my street late last week. Allegations of sexual assault on one of his pickers earned him a trip to meet with his lawyer.

[NextGen]

One has to wonder if the operator in question is the one taken away in an RCMP cruiser on my street late last week. Allegations of sexual assault on one of his pickers earned him a trip to meet with his lawyer.

That is terrible, I have not heard of that yet, I am happy the police were involved it is criminal and I hope those charges follow through.

Like I have mentioned In Summerland, we have some issues with local farmers or orchardists. These are not the first complaints here in Summerland, there is our good farmers and yet there is a growing concern of abuse of these workers locally. I think this is inhumane and mistreatment of workers and this needs to stop. We need more supervision and inspections for the safety of these employees.

[0gopogo]

Cripes-it's not just Summerland.
There are issues between orchardists and workers all over the Okanagan. With housing, litter, crappy conditions....you name it.
It's the nature of the low paying/return "profession".