Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program: Manitoba Health

Manitoba Health: Advocates rallied outside the legislature Wednesday to ask Manitoba Health to cover the 400 Mexican labourers in the province from Mexico who are part of the federal Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program. To their surprise, the province agreed. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "This will give workers great peace of mind," said Jennifer deGroot with the Migrant Worker Solidarity Network. "I'm shocked. I'm thrilled," she said on the steps of the legislature. The network and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives organized the rally and news conference to release Migrant Voices, a survey report on migrant workers in Manitoba. The migrant farm workers who do back-breaking labour for minimum wage were given a thank-you gift from the province -- free health treatment in Manitoba. At the rally, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick announced health coverage will be provided for the seasonal workers, who plant and harvest produce every year. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.