Post-Fire Recovery for Farmworkers
Donation protected
WHAT HAPPENED?
On the morning of July 29, 2016, approximately 33 migrant farmworkers from the Caribbean lost all their belongings when fire destroyed their bunkhouse in Mount Pleasant, Ontario. All they’ve been left with is the clothes on their backs.
According to media reports , some of the workers were preparing a shipment of items to send back home to family in Jamaica. However the fire destroyed everything. It’s also reported that some workers didn’t have bank accounts in Canada and even lost the savings they kept in the bunkhouse.
Migrant farmworkers represent one of the most marginalized and oppressed sectors of Canadian society. The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized their work as being some of the most dangerous there is. As migrants they face additional risks due to their precarious status in Canada, the fact that they’re not permitted to unionize, and their social isolation. Yet despite this they work hard to put Ontario produce on the plates of families across our province and beyond, typically without ever receiving adequate recognition or gratitude. They need and deserve our support throughout the year, but especially in this time of crisis.
WHAT WILL THE MONEY BE USED FOR?
The funds raised will be used by the affected workers to rebuild their lives as they resettle and recover from the damage done by the fire. The money will be distributed equitably among the affected workers. Justicia 4 Migrant Workers (J4MW) will distribute the funds. J4MW is a volunteer-run political collective based in Toronto that is comprised of people from diverse walks of life (including migrant workers, labour organizers, educators, researchers, students and racialized youth).
HOW SOON IS THE MONEY NEEDED?
As you can probably imagine, a fire of this magnitude does serious damage. Support is needed urgently.
WHO AM I?
I’m a lawyer who provides pro bono assistance to Justicia 4 Migrant Workers. If you’re interested you can learn more about me here.
On the morning of July 29, 2016, approximately 33 migrant farmworkers from the Caribbean lost all their belongings when fire destroyed their bunkhouse in Mount Pleasant, Ontario. All they’ve been left with is the clothes on their backs.
According to media reports , some of the workers were preparing a shipment of items to send back home to family in Jamaica. However the fire destroyed everything. It’s also reported that some workers didn’t have bank accounts in Canada and even lost the savings they kept in the bunkhouse.
Migrant farmworkers represent one of the most marginalized and oppressed sectors of Canadian society. The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized their work as being some of the most dangerous there is. As migrants they face additional risks due to their precarious status in Canada, the fact that they’re not permitted to unionize, and their social isolation. Yet despite this they work hard to put Ontario produce on the plates of families across our province and beyond, typically without ever receiving adequate recognition or gratitude. They need and deserve our support throughout the year, but especially in this time of crisis.
WHAT WILL THE MONEY BE USED FOR?
The funds raised will be used by the affected workers to rebuild their lives as they resettle and recover from the damage done by the fire. The money will be distributed equitably among the affected workers. Justicia 4 Migrant Workers (J4MW) will distribute the funds. J4MW is a volunteer-run political collective based in Toronto that is comprised of people from diverse walks of life (including migrant workers, labour organizers, educators, researchers, students and racialized youth).
HOW SOON IS THE MONEY NEEDED?
As you can probably imagine, a fire of this magnitude does serious damage. Support is needed urgently.
WHO AM I?
I’m a lawyer who provides pro bono assistance to Justicia 4 Migrant Workers. If you’re interested you can learn more about me here.
Organizer
Shane Martinez
Organizer
Toronto, ON
