British Columbia Federation of Labour

Vancouver—The B.C. Federation of Labour today submitted 29 recommendations to Labour Minister Olga Ilich to improve the working conditions and safety of BC farmworkers, in the wake of last week's fatal crash near Abbotsford.

"It’s time to act," said Federation President Jim Sinclair. "We know what the problems are, now let’s put real solutions in place to protect the lives and rights of BC farmworkers."

The recommendations also echo the Federation’s long-standing call for the restoration of inter-agency teams to develop an open, transparent and coordinated approach. "The need for co-operation is fundamental," Sinclair said.

The recommendations include improvements to traffic and vehicle safety, better seat belt laws and tougher fines to address the overcrowding and poor condition of vehicles transporting farmworkers.

As well, the Federation is recommending the provincial government not renew its Memorandum of Agreement with the agriculture industry, and that no new agreement should be signed without the participation and support of farmworkers and their advocates.

Providing farmworkers full rights to employment standards enjoyed by other BC workers, as well as better enforcement of these standards, also features as a central recommendation. "When the Employment Standards Act treats farmworkers as second-class citizens, is it any surprise that these workers are exploited?" asked Sinclair.

Sinclair acknowledged that while a Coroner’s inquest has been called, as well as several other ongoing investigations, there is no reason for the government to not act.

"Last time a farmworker died, we waited for recommendations, only to see them ignored," Sinclair noted. "Every day the government waits, farmworkers are left to make life and death decisions each time they go to work."

To download a copy of the submission click here.

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