Mexico state and Canadian union sign migrant worker protection pact

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Ufcw-Canada-953871.html

Feb 24, 2009 16:12 ET
Mexico state and Canadian union sign migrant worker protection pact
The State of Michoacán, Mexico and UFCW Canada sign accord to extend protection and assistance to migrant workers in Canada


Attention: Agriculture Editor, Business/Financial Editor, Food/Beverage Editor, News Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor

MORELIA, MICHOACÁN, MEXICO--(Marketwire - Feb. 24, 2009) -

Migrant workers from the Mexico state of Michoacán will have enhanced protections when they arrive in Canada this season, thanks to a new historic agreement.

On Tuesday, February 24, Wayne Hanley, the National President of UFCW Canada, and Governor Leonel Godoy Rangel from the State of Michoacán signed a landmark co-operation agreement to ensure that the human and labour rights of agricultural workers from Michoacán, Mexico are recognized and enforced while they work in Canadian fields and greenhouses.

It is a first-of-its kind North American agreement, where a state institution has partnered with a civil society organization to extend services and assistance to its citizens working outside of Mexico. It is a unique pact developed after work and consultation between Mexico executive and parliamentary authorities, as well as state authorities - and UFCW Canada which, for more than a decade, has led the campaign for the rights of migrant workers.

Under the pact, workers from Michoacán will be assisted in Canada by UFCW Canada (United Food Commercial Workers Canada) in association with the Agriculture Workers Alliance (AWA). UFCW Canada is Canada's largest private-sector union. The AWA operates nine agriculture workers support centres across Canada.

As part of the agreement, the AWA network of centres, staffed by Spanish-speaking staff, will offer counseling and advocacy services regarding labour rights, housing conditions, medical claims and other work-related issues.

FULL story at link.