Thesis Format
Integrated Article
Degree
Master of Science
Program
Nursing
Supervisor
Caxaj, C. Susana
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.
Summary for Lay Audience
In Canada, there is a reliance on migrant agricultural workers (MAWs) in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) to meet agricultural labour needs. Currently, there is limited knowledge about the housing provided to MAWs by their employers or how this shapes their health experiences. Even less is known about those experiences for the Caribbean MAW population. Therefore, this study used previously collected interview data from five Caribbean MAWs in British Columbia and Ontario to learn more about their housing and health experiences. After analyzing the data, three themes were generated: 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 face challenges that impact their physical and mental health, and this is worsened by the poor quality of housing they are provided. To improve the well-being and safety of all MAWs in Canada, there is a need for improved housing regulations, including national housing standards.
Recommended Citation
Diedrick, Elizabeth, "The Housing Conditions and Health Experiences of Caribbean Migrant Agricultural Workers: A Secondary Analysis" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10118.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10118
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