Short-Term Temporary Labour Migration Yields Long-Term Results
In 2003, IOM kicked off a two-year pilot project that involved 125
Guatemalan workers selected for temporary agricultural work in
Canada. Four years later the programme has gained momentum and more
than 2,000 men and women will travel this year to Canada.
"It was so difficult for me to become a temporary migrant
worker. When I told my husband that there was an IOM programme that
would allow me to go to Canada for a few months to work on a farm,
he did not want me to go. But after I explained the benefits this
would bring to our family, he reluctantly gave me permission to
go," recalls Santa Pic de Ticú.
For the past three years Santa has traveled to Canada to harvest
strawberries. Her sons, nine-year-old William and five-year-old
Pablo, stay at home with their father and grandmother. "Leaving my
sons and my husband for four months every year is hard; the months
turn into what seems an eternity. But I do it because the sacrifice
is worthwhile; it allows me to provide a better life for my family
today and a bright future for my children."
The project "Temporary Agricultural Workers to Canada" was
created by IOM and the Guatemalan Ministries of Foreign Affairs and
of Labour and Social Affairs, following the signing of a Memorandum
of Understanding between IOM and the Fondation des entreprises en
recrutement de main-d'uvre agricole étrangère
or FERME, a Canadian Foundation based in Quebec that deals with the
recruitment of foreign agricultural labour. FERME represents more
than 350 employers and coordinates the seasonal hiring of some
4,000 temporary migrant workers, of which 1,600 are Guatemalans who
have been hired by 160 Canadian farms.
Although the agreement was carried out with the approval of the
Department of Human Resources and Social Development of Canada, it
is not a bilateral agreement but one that works directly between
the employers represented by FERME and the workers.
Günther Müssig, IOM Chief of Mission in Guatemala,
says the project has become a successful model for temporary labour
migration and that it is the only solution offered to avoid
irregular migration. "The past four years have proven that it is
possible to carry out a safe, dignified and orderly flow of migrant
workers, thereby contributing to better management of migration
flows. The project provides benefits all around – to the
countries of origin and destination and to the migrants and their
families."
IOM provides technical assistance to the Guatemalan Government,
participates in the selection of workers, advises those selected on
travel documents and other requirements for travel to Canada, and
arranges their flights.
The agreement stipulates that all migrants must return to their
country of origin at the end of their contracts, which range
between four and six months, and provide coverage under Canadian
labour laws.
Carlos Enrique López also has participated in the past
three seasons. "Going to work in Canada has changed many things in
my life. Now my children have corn flakes and milk before they go
to school in the morning. We can afford to eat meat every day,
while before we did not have money for bread, let alone corn
flakes."
His Canadian earnings have allowed Mr. López to send his
six children to school, to build a home for his family, and to
purchase land where he plans to grow potatoes, cauliflower and
avocados.
"It's very difficult to be without my family, but I have to do
it because it is the only way to forge ahead," López adds.
"I focus on the benefits and this gives me the energy I need. And I
tell my wife and children, ‘Don't be sad because I'll be gone
for a while, this is a great opportunity for our family to
prosper.'"
The wages received by temporary migrant workers are higher than
the minimum salary in Canada. Additional benefits for the migrants
include the new skills they learn, which range from new planting
and harvesting techniques to classifying and packing the produce,
and which are transferred to Guatemala when they return.
A recent household survey on expenditures confirmed that the
earnings these temporary migrant workers are bringing back to their
places of origin are having a positive impact on their quality of
life.
earnings are spent
class="table-header-white" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(51, 102, 204); text-align: left;">Percentage
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">100.0
of Home
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">45.3
Repayment
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">10.8
Needs (food, beverages, etc.)
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">9.8
Improvement
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">7.8
and Shoes
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">5.5
and other Equipment
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">4.5
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">3.8
Purchase
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">3.4
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">3.1
Care
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">3.1
of Agricultural Tools
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">0.1
class="paragraph" style=
"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">2.8
"Thanks to this job, we have no debts," says Santa. "The first
year we managed to pay back the loan for the land we had bought,
and installed proper floors in my home. With the earnings from my
second season in Canada we added a second floor to the house, and
the third year we put money into a savings account so we can buy
more land."
Carlos Humberto García also says it was difficult to be
away from his wife and children. "But when I received my first
salary I felt energized; I had never earned that much money in a
week."
Like the vast majority of the project's participants, Mr.
García has managed to build a home for his family. "I thank
God because I have made new friends and I have a good boss in
Canada who even speaks a little Spanish, so I have no problem
following her instructions."
And Santa adds a woman's perspective, "This project is a great
opportunity for women to contribute to the future of their
families. Although it requires immense sacrifices, seeing your
children and family prosper is the best reward."