It may seem like the perfect opportunity for many unemployed Jamaicans; however, new information has surfaced that migrant farm workers in Canada have been suffering from health complications due to the grueling work they do on Canadian farms, largely in British Columbia and Ontario.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that a recent report in the Canadian Press noted that researchers have found that many workers from Jamaica, Mexico, the Philippines and other countries develop ailments due to their working and living conditions.

skin disorders

According to the research that was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, many workers suffer from persistent back pain, eye and skin disorders and mental-health problems due to a combination of factors.

Added to that, overcrowded housing; long working hours, in many instances 12 hours per day; lack of knowledge of their rights to health care and the stress of being away from families for much of the year take a heavy toll on the mostly male workforce, who spend up to eight months in Canada under government programmes.

The report also noted that many of those who develop health problems don't seek medical attention either because they are not aware of their entitlement, long working hours prevent them from making it to the clinic or they fear losing their jobs.

A survey done between 2007 and 2009 with 600 migrant workers showed that approximately 45 per cent were fearful of reporting concerns to their employers.

musculoskeletal injuries

More that 85 per cent said they did repetitive movements all day, likely causing musculoskeletal injuries, while almost 80 per cent said they worked in extreme heat.

Further, the majority of those surveyed said they worked many hours without breaks, added to that, had no protection from the rain and no safety training or knowledge of the risks in their work.

Also, almost 15 per cent said they didn't have access to clean drinking water while very few had fans or air conditioning in their residences, and some said there weren't enough beds for everyone.

In the meantime, Bette Jean Crews, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, said the reports' findings are questionable, because the federal government regulates the employment of migrant workers.