Farm Workers

UN Adopts Declaration on the Rights of Peasants

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly approved the Declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas this afternoon, expressing the widespread support for the promotion and protection of human rights for an often neglected population. It was approved by a recorded vote of 119 in favour to 7 against, with 49 abstentions. Read more

UN Human Rights Council passes a resolution adopting the peasant rights declaration in Geneva

Seventeen years of long and arduous negotiations later, peasants and other people working in rural areas are only a step away from having a UN Declaration that could defend and protect their rights to land, seeds, biodiversity, local markets and a lot more. Read more

NFU endorses MoVE Campaign for Migrant Workers’ Rights

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has endorsed the Mobility, Voice and Equality for Migrant Workers (MoVE) Campaign organized by the Coalition for Migrant Workers Rights - Canada. Read more

Bill 6 Benefits For Farmers Are Far-Reaching

On December 10, 2015, the Alberta Provincial Government passed Bill 6 – the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranching Workers Act. Until this time, farm and ranch employers were not required to register with the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) or provide any form of workplace insurance for employees. The Farming and Ranching Exemption regulation didn’t allow health and safety inspectors to enter or conduct investigations on farms and ranches where people, including children, have been seriously injured or killed. It is estimated that between 1990 and 2015, 9,000 workers have sustained injuries requiring hospitalization and approximately 400 people have lost their lives on Alberta farms and ranches. 65 were children. Read more

Benefits of farmers’ workplace insurance are far-reaching

I have the good fortune of living and working in a rural community and I have also had the privilege of working with individuals and families whose livelihoods depend on farming and ranching. In addition to this, I am proud to be a member of a multigenerational farming family. Over the years I have observed a trend in regard to farm related injuries and the economic and social ramifications for those who are not covered by workplace insurance. Read more

Bill 6 a step forward for Alberta farms, says NFU

The Alberta government recently introduced Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act, which, if passed, will require farms with one or more paid employees to carry Workers Compensation insurance. The National Farmers Union supports Bill 6, which is currently being debated in the Alberta Legislature. Read more