The last 43 of a total of 149 Colombian migrant workers arrived in
Brandon, Manitoba to begin work in the Maple Leaf Foods' pork
plant. They were recruited by IOM as part of a new labour migration
programme.

The migrants were excited about their new work in Canada.
"Leaving my country to work overseas is a personal challenge, but
knowing that I will see my family again and that I will be able to
offer them economic stability makes me feel happy," said Pedro
Hernandez.

The workers have been given a two-year temporary contract.
During that time, they will have the opportunity to apply for
permanent residence through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee
Programme, and if approved, will have the right to have their
immediate family members join them in Canada.

The IOM Mission in Colombia coordinated the pre-selection
process, organized the final selection process with representatives
of Maple Leaf who travelled to Colombia to conduct interviews, and
arranged for those selected to undergo medical exams.

IOM also coordinated 120 hours of English language courses,
assisted in the visa processing procedures, travel arrangements and
transit assistance, and will carry out monitoring and
evaluation.

Working with IOM Cultural Orientation experts based in Manila,
IOM Colombia organized four, one-day Canadian Orientation courses
pre-departure.  During the course, the migrants were provided
valuable information about life in Canada to help them integrate
more successfully into Canadian society.

Maple Leaf Foods processes and markets processed meats and meals
and employs 25,000 persons in Canada, the United States, Europe and
Asia.  Due to a manpower shortage in Canada, the company has
also recruited workers from El Salvador, Ukraine, Germany and
China.

Other IOM offices recruiting migrant workers for Maple Leaf
Foods include Mauritius, El Salvador and Honduras.  So far,
the successful coordination between local, national and
international players facilitated by IOM is allowing for
transparent, orderly and safe migration from developing countries
with a surplus of workers to developed countries in need of
manpower.

For more information, please contact:

Jorge Andres Gallo

IOM Colombia

Tel: (57 1)5946410

E-mail: "mailto:jgallo@oim.org.co">jgallo@oim.org.co