A long-time migrant worker at Greenhill Produce in Kent Bridge says he disagrees with an anonymous migrant worker who filed a complaint about the company and CK public health's handling of a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility.
Justice for Migrant Workers said the unidentified employee reached out to them to claim the company didn't act fast enough to prevent the spread of the virus and the response from local public health took too long.
But Daniel Salmon, who is from Jamaica and said he has been working at Greenhill for 14 years, told Blackburn News last week's outbreak at the greenhouse operation was not mishandled.
"If I wasn't treated good I wouldn't be working here for 14 years," he said.
Salmon said migrant workers have their good days and bad days, but added that they are treated well by the owners.
"Sometimes in life things happen and sometimes people say things out of anger" added Salmon. "It was time for somebody to step up and say it is good. Don't just speak up when it's bad. When it's good let it be known."
He added living conditions are good and migrant workers have no reason to complain. Salmon said the migrant workers are very comfortable at the bunkhouses. He said each bunkhouse has four bedrooms with six beds in each room, as well as three stoves and five microwaves in the kitchen. He said each bathroom has three urinals, three toilet bowls, four sinks, and three showers while the common areas have five or six leather couches each and big tables where everybody can keep their distance.
Salmon said he is not sick and added outside workers are coming to help the current Greenhill workforce while the contagious workers recover at separate bunkhouses. Salmon added things will eventually get back to normal with new workers showing up last week and more getting up to speed this week.
"We're getting there," said Salmon.
He said the employees are keeping their two metres of distance while they work and are following all public health protocols, including wearing masks and sanitizing.
Salmon said he spoke with General Manager and Vice President Justin Geertsema on Saturday and was told the owners just want everybody to be happy, included, and well fed. Salmon said the workers were treated to pizza and chicken and rice this weekend and are asked to submit a daily list of groceries.
CK Public Health reported on Monday afternoon that one of the 51 contagious people at Greenhill Produce had recovered.
Meanwhile, the Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic said it supports the call for a Ministry of Labour inspection of the bunkhouses at Greenhill Produce. Employment Lawyer Travis McKay said an inspection would ensure compliance with the provincial government’s Workplace Safety Guidelines specific to agricultural workers released last week.
McKay said the legal clinic has general concerns about working conditions for migrant workers and the unique power imbalance between farm operations and migrant workers. He said he expects Greenhill Produce would welcome a ministry inspection to remove any doubt that it has taken the appropriate steps to protect and support its migrant workers. McKay said he believes a ministry inspection would be timely and appropriate given the controversy over the situation.
The Ministry of Labour has recently deployed 58 extra inspectors to ensure employer compliance with regulations designed to protect worker safety in light of the unique risks associated with COVID-19.
The Ministry of Labour said it was notified of the outbreak at Greenhill Produce on April 26 and an inspector investigated the greenhouse operation. Ministry spokesperson Janet Deline said no orders or requirements were issued and the investigation is complete.