Resources for employers of international agricultural workers
Find resources on how to create and keep a healthy and safe work environment.
Overview
Ontario welcomes workers from many countries to work in agricultural operations each year.
The information on this page is for employers of international agricultural workers, such as farmers and businesses. It provides information on:
- workplace health and safety
- housing for workers
- resources for you to share with workers
If you are an international agricultural worker, learn about resources specifically for agricultural workers.
Employer resources
Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and leave
Refer to the Government of Canada's information on Employment Insurance benefits and leave, or call their Employment Insurance Telephone Information Service at
Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) offer health and safety resources and consulting services to help farmers and other agri-food businesses provide safe workplaces.
You can also call
Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Association
The Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Association (OFVGA) has information for growers, including workplace health and safety information.
Employment Standards Act (ESA)
The Employment Standards Act, 2000 covers employment standards, such as the minimum wage and limits on hours of work.
Depending on the circumstances, there are unpaid, job-protected leaves provided under the ESA that might apply to an international agricultural worker or other employees.
Sick leave
Under the ESA, most employees who have been employed for two consecutive weeks have the right to take up to 3 days of unpaid job-protected leave each calendar year due to a personal illness, injury or medical emergency. This is known as sick leave.
Learn more in Your guide to the Employment Standards Act.
Temporary help agencies
An agri-food business may use a temporary help agency or recruiter to fill temporary labour shortages.
If you need to supplement your workforce using temporary help agencies, it is important that you seek workers from legitimate and compliant temporary help agencies.
Starting July 1, 2024, businesses are prohibited from knowingly engaging or using the services of an unlicensed agency or recruiter.
Both the agri-food business and the temporary help agency have responsibilities for worker health and safety under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
Learn more about temporary help agencies and recruiters.
Registry of Employers of International Agricultural Workers
The Registry of Employers of International Agricultural Workers is a voluntary registry of employers under the agricultural streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The registry helps employers receive targeted information and helps us better identify the welfare, health and safety resources that workers and employers need.
Workplace resources
Health care and emergency services
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA) has health care resources in English, Latin American Spanish and Thai, including:
- accessing health care in emergency and non-emergency situations
- calling
911 - mental and emotional health
Cleaning and disinfecting
While employers always have an obligation to maintain clean worksites, this obligation is even more important when it comes to reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
Follow best practices to support clean worksites.
Hand hygiene
- Provide workers and visitors access to handwashing stations and have alcohol-based hand rub (60–90% alcohol) available at multiple, prominent locations in the workplace, including entrances and exits.
- When hands are visibly dirty, they should be washed with soap and water, and dried using single use paper towels.
- Encourage hand cleaning by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub, especially before breaks and at shift changes.
- If gloves are being used, perform hand washing before putting on gloves. Place gloves in the garbage (that is, non-touch, lined waste receptacles, which should be placed throughout the workplace) after removing them, then clean hands.
- Ensure adequate hand hygiene supplies are maintained.
Surface hygiene
- In addition to routine cleaning, clean and disinfect surfaces or areas that have frequent contact with hands (high-touch surfaces) regularly and when visibly dirty.
- Examples of high-touch surfaces include door handles, counters, cabinet doors, elevator buttons, light switches, faucets, toilet handles, handrails, touch screen surfaces, and keypads.
- Only use disinfectants with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) issued by Health Canada that confirms they are approved for use in Canada. Follow manufacturer's instructions and check the expiry date of products.
- Maintain a cleaning log to track frequency of cleaning and disinfecting schedules within the workplace and in housing provided for workers.
- Disinfect shared equipment (where sharing of equipment cannot be avoided).
- Post hygiene instructions in English, French and other languages used in the workplace, and include pictures/infographics where possible so everyone can clearly understand how to do their part.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE is equipment and clothing worn by a worker to minimize exposure to hazards in the workplace. Examples of PPE include respirators and eye protection.
You should determine whether PPE needs to be part of your hazard control plan. The need for PPE should be based on a risk assessment that includes the effectiveness of other controls and consider input from the local public health unit.
It is important that masks worn as PPE are:
- appropriate for that purpose
- safe and not introduce other hazards
There may be conditions in which consistent and appropriate mask use is challenging (for example, very hot or humid conditions).
Ensure that workers, volunteers and contractors who are using PPE are trained on their proper use and how to safely put them on and take them off.
Housing for international agricultural workers
As part of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, employers are required to provide housing for international agricultural workers.
The housing requirement is set by the Government of Canada.
Housing inspections
Your local public health unit is responsible for conducting housing inspections.
Other municipal, provincial and federal agencies may be involved in the inspection process depending on the circumstance before the housing can be occupied.
Contact your local public health unit to learn more about municipal requirements.
Supports for international agricultural workers and other seasonal employees
Report abuse of the temporary foreign workers
Temporary foreign workers in Canada are protected under the same federal, provincial and territorial employment laws as Canadians and permanent residents.
Employers who abuse workers or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program could face a penalty or be banned from the program.
The program has several measures in place to ensure that workers are protected from abuse. Employers are expected to uphold certain conditions and be aware of their responsibilities and obligations.
Report misuse of the program or abuse of workers.
Human trafficking
Human trafficking can include recruiting, harbouring or controlling a person's movements using force, coercion or deception. Learn about human trafficking, including how it can happen, who is at risk and warning signs.
If there is immediate danger or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, call
If you or someone you know needs support, call the Canadian human trafficking hotline at
Mental health
We care about the mental health and well-being of farmers, farm families and agri-food workers, and recognize they face unique challenges.
The mental health resources for farmers page has information to help farmers, farm workers and their families on how to reduce stress, anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
If you have an immediate health emergency, call
Farmer Wellness Initiative
The Farmer Wellness Initiative offers free, professional mental health counselling support.
Call toll-free at
ConnexOntario
ConnexOntario helps you find mental health, addiction and problem gambling services in your area.
Service is offered through telephone, text, chat, and e-mail, and in over 170 languages. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health811
Through Health811, people can find health care services or talk to a registered nurse for non-emergency health questions.
Call
Suicide Crisis Line
The Suicide Crisis Line helps people dealing with thoughts of suicide, or those worried about someone else. Trained responder will listen, provide support and can provide resources.
Call or text
Report workplace harassment or violence
If you believe conditions in a workplace are unsafe or if you or someone else is experiencing harassment or violence on the job, report it to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Health and Safety Contact Centre.
File a workplace health and safety complaint online or call
Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Translation services are available, and you may remain anonymous.
Vaccine resources
Additional resources
Online resources are available to provide additional guidance on workplace safety.
Worker guidance and support
- Government of Canada: temporary foreign workers rights
- WSIB: Foreign Agricultural Workers Program
- The Neighbourhood Organization: Worker Support Services
- Workforce Windsor Essex: TeaMWork Project
- Migrant Worker Community Program
- Migrant Worker Health Project
Posters and videos
Displaying easy-to-understand posters or playing videos for your workers is a great way to remind everyone how best to protect themselves.
Public Health Ontario
Government of Canada
Pan American Health Organization
- Poster: Wash your hands with soap and water (English)
- Poster: Wash your hands with soap and water (Spanish)
Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
- Poster and video: health and safety resources (multiple languages)
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
The following videos were created by AgSafe (British Columbia). The information in the videos is equally applicable to international agricultural workers joining Ontario's agricultural labour force.