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TIME FOR ACTION ON PROTECTING RIGHTS FOR FARMWORKERS |
By Carole James, Leader of the BC New Democrats
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As a result of seven years of the Campbell government, British Columbians find themselves facing many challenges – soaring fuel prices, unraveling public health care, and a neglected and failing forest industry are just a few. But today I want to talk about another sector of our provincial community that has been ignored by the Campbell government, and that is farmworkers.
As many of us are well aware, the agriculture industry is vital to the B.C. economy – but the people that work so hard in this industry are dangerously neglected by the Premier.
Let’s for a moment reflect on the Campbell government’s record on protecting farmworkers, a dismal record that leaves workers open to exploitation and abuse. Since taking office, the Campbell government has undermined the rights of workers in the farming sector, has ignored recommendations for changes in employment standards for farmworkers, and rejected the call to restore the rights and protections lost in 2002. Because of changes made by the Campbell government, farmworkers are excluded from basic employment rights such as entitlement to minimum wage, rest periods, vacation pay, statutory holiday pay, and overtime pay.
The impact of reduced employment standards for farmworkers has created economic insecurity, forcing many to accept low and unstable wages, work excessive hours, and tolerate rights violations.
It is no surprise to anyone that we are facing severe shortages in labour here in B.C. But instead of improving working conditions for farmworkers as a way of attracting more workers and thus addressing the agricultural labour shortage, the B.C. Liberals have reduced employment security, slashed safety standards, and turned a blind eye to infractions.
A new report released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives highlights the real impact of the Campbell government’s disregard for and failure to protect the labour rights, and the economic and social well-being of farmworkers in B.C. The report confirmed that farmworkers experience systemic exploitation and human rights violations that go unreported and ignored by the Campbell government. They face working conditions that are often dangerous, and the government has failed to enforce the meager standards in place.
In short, the report concludes that government actions have eroded economic and social security for B.C. farmworkers.
It is totally unacceptable that the Campbell government continues to treat farmworkers as second-class citizens – leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. It is sign of the real arrogance of this Premier and this B.C. Liberal government, a sign that the Premier has no problem picking winners and losers.
And under the Campbell plan for B.C., farmworkers have been slated as losers.
This is simply wrong and unfair – especially in light of the vital contribution farmworkers make to the success of the agriculture industry and the province. The continued neglect of this vital group of workers is either ignorance or arrogance on the part of the Premier – neither of which is an acceptable excuse for failing to act and protect the rights of all British Columbian workers.
It is time for change. New Democrats have time and again called for the Campbell government to immediately restore the protections for farmworkers that his government has stripped away.
The New Democrats have repeatedly called for legislation that would restore safety standards and basic rights for farmworkers, as well as demanding that farmworkers be paid, at the very least, the provincial minimum wage.
Part of the New Democrat commitment to British Columbians is to increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour – a wage that will also be guaranteed to all the vital workers in the agriculture industry.
I have assured Mr. Campbell that all New Democrats would be willing and happy to support legislation that re-established rights to farmworkers.
Gordon Campbell was simply wrong to erode protections for farmworkers – and the CCPA report confirms that. It is time for the Premier to admit his mistake and make amends. It is the right thing to do, and it must be done now.
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