The Housing Conditions and Health Experiences of Caribbean Migrant Agricultural Workers: A Secondary Analysis
Abstract
Migrant agricultural workers (MAWs) in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) support Canada’s agricultural industry by occupying positions seen as less desirable by Canadian citizens, leading to a reliance on this population to meet labour demands (Satzewich, 1988; Perry, 2012). The scoping review informing this thesis highlighted that little research has focused on the inadequacies within MAWs’ employer-provided housing and even fewer Canadian studies focus specifically on the Caribbean population. This secondary analysis explored the housing and health experiences of Caribbean MAWs in Ontario and British Columbia. Interviews with five Caribbean MAWs were thematically analyzed to produce three themes: Housing Allows Workers to Survive, But Not Really Live; Privacy Intrusion and Restrictive Measures Cultivate Fear Among Migrant Workers; and Lack of Representation, Oversight, And Support Exacerbate Health and Housing Challenges. The results of this study indicate that Caribbean MAWs experience significant hardships during their seasonal contracts, complicated by the poor quality of their housing. Housing regulation changes, including the implementation of national housing standards, need to occur to promote the well-being and safety of MAWs across Canada.