What is SAWP?

I never knew that parts of Canada were in such need for agricultural manpower that they would go all the way to Mexico and the Caribbean to get such workers, but they do!  We were driving around Quebec on our recent tour, and our taxi driver/guide told us about all the temporary guest workers that came to Canada every year for the farming season, earned lots of money, then went back home until the next season. 

The program began in 1974 and is called the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.  It was established by the governments of Mexico and Canada to respond to the growing need for labor in the Canadian agricultural sector.  It's been in existence for over 40 years, but few people know about it.  The Mexican and Caribbean laborers are screened, then brought to Canada at the expense of the Canadian government.  They are sent to farms, where they receive room and board, $10 an hour pay, and work seven days a week.  They usually stay around six months, then go back to Mexico until the next year.  They pay no tax on the money they earn, and have virtually no expenses while working, so they make lots of money, probably enough to support their families in Mexico for the entire year.

It's a win/win situation.  The Canadians can't find labor to work the farms, and Canadians prefer to eat food that is farmed in Canada rather than import fruits and vegetables.  The foreign laborers make a lot of money for themselves as well, so everyone is happy.  They have a labor union which protects them, they are entitled to free medical care while in Canada and protected by federal labor laws.  I don't know much about the working conditions of the men and women working in American fields, but my guess is they're not as good as they should be.  I will look into it soon and see how stack up.  I remember years ago when Caesar Chavez was fighting for the rights of farm workers.  I know he made some progress, but if it's enough, I don't know.  I'll check it out.