* Lots has changed in the world (COVID-2020)since the writing of this article on March 8, 2020. For reference, we decided to still publish.
Since 2016 when Canada legalized marijuana 4 out of 8 local greenhouse farms converted from vegetable to growing marijuana. Over these years the farms have continued to employ foreign workers from Mexico and Guatemala. Most recently one farm started hiring women.
This week we heard devastating news affecting 250 of these workers from 2 communities, including the newly arrived women in Aldergrove, all are laid off and 2 farms shut down. This means that these workers supporting their families may not be able to. The company gave varying lengths of notice, but some are returning home as quickly as this week. Others have the opportunity to continue working for a month. Each is responsible for arranging their own flights home. Questions arise about if they will continue to have accommodations or meals provided, how will they get around, and how will they go home. They are left with the unknown about what options are available and if there is anyone who can help. We pray for each situation and each detail to be covered.
Thankfully there are a number of agencies whose mandate is to support new immigrants and migrant workers. They are currently running meetings and forums to speak to the workers about their options. The most favorable being that they can transfer their visas to another farm. The worst case being they would return to Guatemala and must re apply leaving them without income for an unknown length of time.
There are too many affected for any one agency to help but together we pray no one is missed.
Our role in this. We have recently connected with an agency in an unrelated topic but as it turns out they play a significant role in this situation. We also have a relationship with the 20 women workers and were able to connect these two groups. Gracias a Dios.
These women have had a rough time coming to Canada. They arrived only 3 months ago unprepared with clothing and necessities and to a house that was also unprepared for them. We, the church and community of Ladner, were able meet some of those needs and now continue a relationship of emotion support. These women almost all have children back home they are trying to support. You can imagine how they felt to hear the news that they now lost their opportunity. Since they are women they live separately from the majority of workers and are out of the loop on all the talks and support. They felt abandoned again and worried. Yesterday after meeting with the agency it gave them so much peace. There are no promises of new opportunities but there is a chance of a re-placement to other jobs. They will also be supported while here to ensure all their needs are met, counselling, translation, bus tickets, gift cards, and support. We thank God that he is working through so many people at this time.
We will let the agency do their thing but will continue to support by encouraging the women, continue our baking and English classes, and praying with them. We would like to collect at least 20 suitcases for them so they can pack their things. Any other needs they have we will share with you all.
Since 2016 when Canada legalized marijuana 4 out of 8 local greenhouse farms converted from vegetable to growing marijuana. Over these years the farms have continued to employ foreign workers from Mexico and Guatemala. Most recently one farm started hiring women.
This week we heard devastating news affecting 250 of these workers from 2 communities, including the newly arrived women in Aldergrove, all are laid off and 2 farms shut down. This means that these workers supporting their families may not be able to. The company gave varying lengths of notice, but some are returning home as quickly as this week. Others have the opportunity to continue working for a month. Each is responsible for arranging their own flights home. Questions arise about if they will continue to have accommodations or meals provided, how will they get around, and how will they go home. They are left with the unknown about what options are available and if there is anyone who can help. We pray for each situation and each detail to be covered.
Thankfully there are a number of agencies whose mandate is to support new immigrants and migrant workers. They are currently running meetings and forums to speak to the workers about their options. The most favorable being that they can transfer their visas to another farm. The worst case being they would return to Guatemala and must re apply leaving them without income for an unknown length of time.
There are too many affected for any one agency to help but together we pray no one is missed.
Our role in this. We have recently connected with an agency in an unrelated topic but as it turns out they play a significant role in this situation. We also have a relationship with the 20 women workers and were able to connect these two groups. Gracias a Dios.
These women have had a rough time coming to Canada. They arrived only 3 months ago unprepared with clothing and necessities and to a house that was also unprepared for them. We, the church and community of Ladner, were able meet some of those needs and now continue a relationship of emotion support. These women almost all have children back home they are trying to support. You can imagine how they felt to hear the news that they now lost their opportunity. Since they are women they live separately from the majority of workers and are out of the loop on all the talks and support. They felt abandoned again and worried. Yesterday after meeting with the agency it gave them so much peace. There are no promises of new opportunities but there is a chance of a re-placement to other jobs. They will also be supported while here to ensure all their needs are met, counselling, translation, bus tickets, gift cards, and support. We thank God that he is working through so many people at this time.
We will let the agency do their thing but will continue to support by encouraging the women, continue our baking and English classes, and praying with them. We would like to collect at least 20 suitcases for them so they can pack their things. Any other needs they have we will share with you all.
