UFCW welcomes changes to WSIB services for migrant farm workers

Toronto – February 12, 2018 – UFCW Canada, the country’s leading advocate for agriculture workers, welcomes recently announced changes by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) regarding the way the Board provides health care services to migrant farm workers. “It is great to see that our years of advocacy with our community partners has resulted in these much-needed changes,” says Paul Meinema, the National President of UFCW Canada.

The following changes are now in effect for all workers enrolled in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program. In Ontario, the WSIB is required to:

As well, in a migrant worker’s home country, the WSIB will:

“These changes are long overdue,” says the UFCW Canada leader. “For decades, migrant farm workers have struggled to access health care while labouring in Ontario and when they return home,” Meinema adds.  “The WSIB announcement is positive news, but we must remain vigilant to ensure that the WSIB follows through and provides workers with better access to the health care services they need and deserve.”

If you have questions regarding specific details of the changes, please contact one of UFCW Canada’s Agriculture Workers support centres, which will be offering workshops to agriculture workers about these changes and new protections in the coming season.