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LabourCORONAVIRUS (COVID- 19) Information for Employers and EmployeesThe links below come from HealthLinkBC and covers pretentative measures for the coronavirus, COVID-19. Please circulate this information to your employees so they stay informed. Information available in English, Spanish and Punjabi (click on links to access the information).
SAWP APPLICATION:Information on the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program is on the Service Canada website:
The SAWP LMIA ( a Service Canada application) link is located on the "5. How to apply" tab. 2020 Employment Contracts (Agreements)Click here to download the 2020 Mexico Employment Contract.Click here to download the 2020 Caribbean Employment Contract.A copy of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) employment contract no longer needs to be included with the LMIA application. Employers are still required to have a copy of the contract on file, signed by both the employer and workers (after they arrive), in the event of any inspection.Bullying and Harassment factsheetBullying and Harassment factsheet in SpanishSample Bullying and Harassment PolicyAgSafeBC Bully and Harassment Video and other documents (in English and Spanish)WorkSafeBC's Resource Toolkit for Bullying and HarassmentExample of House Rules for your SAWP workersExample of Employee's agreement to work additional hoursExample of Payroll Advance agreementFactors that may be reviewed during an auditSample of Signage in Spanish and English
HousingEmployers must provide TFWs with adequate, suitable and affordable housing as defined by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The housing can be either on-farm (for example bunkhouse) or off-site (for example commercial establishment). Employers must ensure the occupancy of each accommodation location does not exceed the maximum occupancy permitted. They must also ensure that sufficient housing will be made available for all TFWs per approved accommodation from the date of arrival to the date of departure.
Housing InspectionEffective January 1, 2018, new requirements will need to be followed to confirm that the housing provided to temporary foreign agricultural workers has been inspected, and that all conditions on the housing inspection report have been addressed prior to obtaining a decision.
These additional requirements will include that:
The housing inspection report must:
Employers in British Columbia must:
To have your worker housing inspected for the Mexican or Caribbean SAWP Program, call the following certified inspectors:
Failure to meet the requirements for the housing inspection report without justification will result in the LMIA application being considered incomplete.
Although a housing inspection report with a “pass with conditions” status will still be accepted for the purpose of processing an LMIA application, a decision will not be rendered until the employer has provided evidence that all conditions on the housing inspection report have been addressed.
Employers are responsible for any costs that may be associated to having the housing inspected. Under no circumstances can employers recover these costs from the TFW.
If you would like help from the BCFGA in filling out the forms, contact Bunvir Nijjer at 250-762-5226 ext 4.
Contact Us Hours: 9am - 4pm weekdays. t: 250-762-5226 |