Survey of Temporary Labour Migration from Guatemala to Canada
The second evaluation of a IOM temporary labour migration programme
carried out in Guatemala has highlighted how such an approach can
work to benefit migrants, their families and the countries of
origin and destination.
The programme, which focuses on temporary labour migration from
Guatemala to Canada, began five years ago with 215
participants. In 2007, 2,255 migrants participated in the
programme of whom 46 per cent had travelled to Canada for a second
time and 30.6 per cent had participated in the programme at least
three times. Participants hail from the poorest municipalities in
Guatemala; 27.6 per cent of them live in municipalities with a
poverty rate greater than 71 per cent.
The project, created by IOM and the Guatemalan Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and of Labour and Social Affairs, followed the
signing of an agreement 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 who are involved in planting and/or harvesting fruit and
vegetables.
Seventy-four per cent of workers surveyed said they had acquired
new skills which range from new planting and harvesting techniques
to classifying and packing the produce, which they would apply when
harvesting their land in Guatemala.
The wages received by temporary migrant workers are higher than
the minimum salary in Canada and are covered by Canadian labour
laws. Participants confirmed to IOM that wages earned in
Canada are spent on health, education, housing, clothing and other
basic items, but they are also able to make major improvements to
their homes and are buying land. The 2005 survey showed that
45.3 per cent of the earnings were spent on building homes, whereas
in 2007, 31.9 per cent was set aside in savings accounts.
An important aspect of the programme, and as a service to the
migrants and their families, IOM and partners have also put in
place a health care plan for family members in Guatemala who do not
have access to health care. The plan has different levels and
costs which range from basic medical care to surgery and
hospitalization. The health care component is also available
for Guatemalan migrants in the United States.
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 Guatemalan consulate in Canada
verifies the working conditions and provides support as needed in
conflict resolution.
The agreement stipulates that all migrants must return to their
country of origin at the end of their contracts, which range
between four and eight months.
Günther Müssig, IOM Chief of Mission in Guatemala,
says the project has become a successful model for temporary labour
migration. "The past five years have proved 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. The success of the programme is
evident: 99.8 per cent of the workers returned home."
A copy of the publication "Segunda Evaluación Programa
Trabajadores(as) Agrícolas Temporales a Canadá" is
available at:
"http://www.oim.org.gt/Cuaderno%20de%20Trabajo%20No.%2025.pdf"
target="_blank" title=
"">http://www.oim.org.gt/Cuaderno%20de%20Trabajo%20No.%2025.pdf
For more information, please contact:
Sonia Pellecer
IOM Guatemala
Tel: +502 23 62 83 67
E-mail:
"mailto:spellecer@iom.int">spellecer@iom.int