JUSTICIA:.: for Migrant Workers

Mexican migrant farmworker, husband, and father of three, Alberto Garcia, 39, died at home, surrounded by his family, after an almost two year battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

Alberto had worked in Ontario as part of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program for many years, when he was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2006. His case made headlines with his struggle to stay in Canada to continue receiving cancer treatments despite pressure from officials for him to return home immediately. He was embraced by supporters, especially Herman and Joanne Plas, who took him into their Waterford home to live upon release from hospital for the duration of his stay in Canada. (The couple won a UFCW Black Eagle Award in 2007 in recognition of these efforts.)

Though Alberto's doctors initially only gave him weeks to live, he received extensive treatments at London's *University Hospital, which allowed him to regain some of his strength. His common law partner, Maribel, came to visit him and they later married at a service at the Plas home, conducted by Fr. Frank Murphy, a Catholic priest who had been visiting and supporting Alberto regularly since he became sick.

Alberto and Maribel returned to Mexico in December, 2006, when his visa and right to medical coverage in Canada expired. They were reunited with their three young children who had stayed in Maribel's mother's care during their absence.

In Mexico he found it difficult to afford costly cancer treatments and eventually his condition deteriorated again.

The Plases had the chance to visit Alberto and Maribel twice in Mexico—in January 2007 and 2008. They report that he was able to spend his last year of life with his family, and at times his quality of life was even good enough that he was able to do some work on his home. They also say that Canadian doctors did as much as they could before he went home and that the medical system here was excellent with him. Unfortunately, he was not able to afford the same standard of care once he returned to Mexico.

Alberto was a quiet and humble man, who despite his illness, always fought to live and for his rights. He appears as a prominent figure in Aaraon Diaz's documentary film, Migrants: Those Who Come From Within* (Mexico: 2007), where he shares his story of work, illness, and the struggle to survive in Canada and Mexico. In the film, he recounts that he went so far as to write a letter to the President's wife to ask for help to pay for further cancer treatments. He did not hear back.

Alberto had worked at greenhouse operations in the Leamington, Delhi and Bradford/ Holland Marsh areas. He* leaves behind his loving wife and three small children, who he adored and worked so hard to support.

Alberto's death points to the larger injustices facing migrant workers in Canada, who are typically repatriated home as soon as they are sick, rather than cared for in Canada, the country of their employment, despite paying into taxes and other benefit programs. (Seasonal agricultural workers in Ontario are covered under OHIP during the duration of their contracts, but this coverage expires each year along with their visas.) Alberto's widow and children worry about how they will survive, as he was the family's breadwinner.

Donations to help Alberto's family in this difficult time can be made to account number 6258151-0083 at any branch of TD-Canada Trust. The account is in the names of Fanny Belcoski and Herman Plas, both of whom have been consistent supporters of Alberto and his family throughout this tragedy. They will ensure that his family receives any donations as soon as possible.

Fund to help farm worker with cancer
Mexican farm worker Alberto Garcia, 36, diagnosed with terminal cancer
Monte Sonnenberg SIMCOE REFORMER
Friday June 16, 2006

Caught in the middle
The Tuesday Times-Reformer
Monte Sonnenberg
Tuesday June 27, 2006

Migrants: Those Who Come From Within
Written, produced and directed by Aaraon Diaz Mendiburo
Cuijingo, Mexico

This film is a non-profit project.
Copies can be obtained by contacting Aaraon at:
faraondiaz@yahoo.com.mx

Over the past few years Canadians have become increasingly aware of the thousands of Mexican and Caribbean migrant workers that come to labour in our fields each year as part of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program. We have seen how these men and women work long hours, contributing in body and spirit to their own families' advancement, and to the cultures and economies Canadian towns where they live and work. We have seen too, how the Canadian agriculture has grown with these workers, and how governments are striving to increase their numbers and expand the program to other industries all over the country.

The story that we do not know is what happens to migrant agricultural workers when they go back home. Participants in this program do not just return to their families with money, gifts and work experience, but often carry with them serious injuries, chronic illnesses, personal traumas, and feelings of loneliness and disconnection that stay with them well beyond the period of their contracts. Mexican filmmaker Aaraon Diaz has given a voice to these health problems and to the migrant workers, families and friends who must endure their consequences.

Canadian Bound Migrant Farm Workers Protest in Barbados
Mon Dec 04 2006
The Barbados Advocate
Fed up with not getting answers about their pensions, deductions from their wages and their National Insurance Scheme benefits, a group of labourers who work in the Canadian Farm Programme will be taking their fight straight to Minister of Labour Rawle Eastmond today...

Congress Announcement
First International Congress “Global Migrations: Populations in Movement, Families, and Migrant Communities," taking place on March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th 2007 in the city and port of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. More information...

Update: Hermelindo Guiterrez
Hermelindo is continuing dialysis treatment in Canada while his family remains in Mexico. It is still unknown if he will be allowed to remain in the country on humanitarian grounds. Hermelindo and his family are still in urgent need of financial support to help them all get through this difficult period in their lives. Contributions can be made directly to Hermelindo's emergency fund: Firstbank Checking #0033 3204 925, Bank of Montreal, St. Catharines Branch (transit # 0033).

Medical Refugee
St. Catharines Standard (ON)
Saturday, December 16, 2006, p. A1

Update: Pedro Rosales
Pedro has been reunited happily but temporarily reunited with his family in Mexico. He granted us permission to share the following images of his emotional reunion with his family. He won his settlement after being hit by a car in Leamington and is now contemplating his future.

Migrant worker cut adrift
'No one wanted to know about me'
Sep. 5, 2006. 06:56 AM
DAVID BRUSER
BUSINESS REPORTER

FEATURED RESOURCES

Who is Responsible? (new)
Life and Death for Two Migrant Workers [PDF]

Artcile on the death of two Jamaican migrant farm workers in Ontario on September 27, 2005.

From Juxtaposition Magazine - Spring 2006
Complete issue here [PDF]

Farm Workers call for National Standards to Protect 'Guest Workers' in Canada (new)
By Chris Ramsaroop [PDF]
From the September 2001 issue of Labornotes Magazine.
The entire Labornotes archives (1979-2004) are available free online. Click here.

Cultivating Safety on the Farm (new)
Will new legislation protecting agriculture workers reduce the number of accidents, or create a financial burden for Ontario farmers? [PDF]
By Kathleen Sibley
From Canadian Occupational Safety - March/ April 2006
Complete issue here [PDF]

Online Video:
How Migrant Farm Workers (and non-unionized workers) are organizing.
Adriana Paz, Justicia for Migrant Workers, BC, Canadian Union of Public Employees first Human Rights Conference in:
Real Player, Quick Time, Windows Media

Inventory of Justicia's Initiatives and Activities
Sunday December 17, 2006
Chris Ramsaroop, J4MW

Social Crisis in Mexico: Fight Back or Migrate
By Erika Del Carmen Fuchs, J4MW BC
Fall 2006

The Experiences of Mexican Seasonal Agricultural Workers
Living and Working in Canada A Collaborative Multimedia Project
4.4 MB download in pdf
Created in the fall of 2004
Katie Hinnenkamp and community partner J4MW

PROTECTION OF MIGRANT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS’ RIGHTS
228 KB download in pdf
© Copyright by Israel Gonzalez Gutierrez, September 2006
Justicia granted permission to publish online
MA Thesis by Isreal Israel Gonzalez Gutierrez B.S.W.
McMaster University

Migrant Farm Worker Survey to the Canadian Public (doc)
(word document). This survey was created by a migrant farm worker to create awareness among local residents in rural towns where migrant farm workers live and work. It was presented to Justicia on Friday October 21, 2005 for further dissemination. Please take a moment to complete the survey.

Migrant Farm Workers' Petition-in progress (PDF)
This petition is an initiative undertaken by migrant farm workers in a rural town where J4MW counts on a strong support base. It is currently being revised by workers from different rural areas where J4MW operates.