IAW rights

In Canada, the rights of all workers, including IAWs, are protected by law. IAWs within the TFWP have the same rights and protections as Canadians and permanent residents.

An employer must:

  • provide IAWs information about their rights
  • give IAWs a signed copy of their employment agreement on or before the first day of work
  • pay IAWs for their work as stated in their employment agreement
  • provide IAWs with a workplace free of mistreatment, including reprisals
  • follow the employment and recruitment standards of the province or territory where IAWs work
  • get and pay for private health insurance that covers IAWs’ emergency medical care until they are eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance coverage (consult the Access to health care services section for exceptions)
  • make reasonable efforts to give IAWs access to health care services if they’re injured or become ill at the workplace

An employer can’t:

  • force IAWs to perform unsafe work or work that their employment agreement doesn’t authorize IAWs to do
  • force IAWs to work if they’re sick or injured
  • pressure or force IAWs to work overtime not included in their employment agreement
  • punish IAWs for reporting mistreatment, unsafe work, inadequate housing or for cooperating with an inspection by a government employee
  • take an IAW’s personal documents away from them, such as a passport or work permit
  • submit a request for IAWs to be deported from Canada or change their immigration status
  • make IAWs reimburse recruitment-related fees the employer may have paid to hire them

Learn more about workers' rights.

Occupational health and safety in the workplace

Everyone in the workplace has important duties to keep the workplace safe. Since employers have the most authority in the workplace, they have the greatest responsibility.

Occupational health and safety on farms in Ontario generally falls under the OHSA. One of an employer’s duties under the OHSA is to give workers specific information and instructions about how to stay safe on the job.

Learn more about health and safety in farming operations.

Health and safety in farming operations

In addition to the OHSA, the following regulations also apply when employing IAWs on farms:

Basic health and safety awareness training

Employers must ensure that all workers complete basic health and safety awareness training before starting to work in Ontario. English and French versions of the training are available through e-learning, and booklets that workers can complete on their own are available in multiple languages upon request at awarenessfeedback@ontario.ca.

Find additional resources from WSPS, available in multiple languages for employers.

Pesticides training

Ontario farmers who buy and use Class B or C pesticides on farms must be certified. Ontario farmers who mix, load or apply Class B or C pesticides under supervision of a Certified Farmer must be trained.

Learn more about required training and working safely with pesticides and chemicals through the Ontario Pesticide Education Program.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a comprehensive system for providing health and safety information on hazardous products intended for use, handling or storage in Ontario workplaces.

WHMIS has aligned with the worldwide hazard communication system known as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.

Suppliers, employers and workers each have requirements under WHMIS.

Stay current about WHMIS requirements in each jurisdiction, and access useful resources by checking the WHMIS portal regularly.

In Ontario, Reg. 860 - WHMIS does not apply on farming operations. However, employers are still required to provide information, instruction and supervision to workers on the safe use, handling and storage of any chemicals in the workplace.

Workplace injuries

One of the most common causes of injury and death on farms is the unsafe use of agricultural equipment. Farm owners and employers are responsible for the safety of their workers, including IAWs. They must ensure that employees and IAWs are trained on the proper and safe ways to do their jobs.

Reduce the risk of injury and illness by taking preventive steps such as conducting routine hazard checks on equipment, buildings and grounds, and correcting problems immediately.

Learn more about avoiding harm on the farm and find other resources from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.