If you’re a skilled farm worker looking to move to Canada and wondering about employment, then check out the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). The government created SAWP for skilled farm workers to find employment opportunities across Canada as well as to fill labor gaps in the agricultural industry. Canada’s farms depend on skilled workers to support the farms’ growth and produce delicious food throughout the year.
Those looking to move to Canada may be interested in learning more about SAWP, including all its requirements and visa benefits.
What is the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program?
SAWP was originally created due to the shortage of Canadian workers during the boom of fruit and vegetable growers in the 1960s. The program has since expanded to provide workers with more benefits, such as life insurance, healthcare, and long-term employment opportunities.
The Federal Ministry of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada operated the program. It was implemented to help farm employers hire foreign workers on temporary visas to fill the openings left by a lack of unavailable Canadian farm workers.
SAWP is a great opportunity to fulfill the labor demands of Canadian farms and for skilled foreign workers to find new employment opportunities and benefit from the Canadian temporary visa.
Besides SAWP, skilled farm workers also have an opportunity for employment through the agricultural stream of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program.
What countries are participating in SAWP?
SAWP started in the 1960s with just over 250 migrant workers from Jamaica, but it has since expanded to several other Caribbean countries and workers from Mexico. Today, almost 60,000 workers are employed through SAWP and the agriculture sector of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program.
SAWP workers are accepted through Mexico and the following Caribbean countries:
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- Kitts-Nevis
- Lucia
- Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
What are the criteria for SAWP?
Here are the simple but comprehensive criteria for workers joining SAWP:
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must be from one of the participating countries.
- You must qualify under the immigration laws of the origin country.
- You must agree to the employment contract.
- You must have experience in farming.
Employers joining SAWP must meet the following criteria:
- The workers must be citizens from eligible countries.
- The production must be in the specified National Commodity sectors.
- The activity on the farm must meet the requirements of primary agriculture.
What are the visa terms of SAWP?
Skilled foreign workers can be hired from the participating countries for 8 months between January 1 and December 15. Employers need to be able to offer workers a minimum of 240 hours within a 6-week time period.
Those participating in SAWP can return each season to be hired again. Many workers are re-employed since they’ve gained essential experience and agricultural knowledge.
What benefits do workers receive through SAWP?
Skilled foreign workers employed through SAWP receive benefits that include health insurance, life insurance, housing, transportation, and short-term disability income. Workers are guaranteed the same pay as a Canadian worker for the same role, which the Canadian Government regulates. One important thing to note is that workers are subject to income taxes.
Transportation
Employers must always arrange and pay for round-trip, day-to-day transportation to and from their place of work and accommodation in Canada. Employers must also cover transportation from workers’ home country to Canada.
Housing
Employers must provide comfortable, suitable, and affordable housing as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Sufficient accommodation must be available from the arrival date of the workers, and all housing is required to go through private inspection.
Health Insurance
All migrant workers receive provincial health insurance as well as private health insurance for emergency medical care. In addition, employers are required to register SAWP workers for health insurance. Workers are also required to receive life insurance and short-term disability income.
Workplace Safety
All employers must cover their employees with provincial/territorial workplace safety insurance. If employers choose to use a private insurance plan, they must prove the plan’s equivalency to the provincial/territorial workplace safety authority.
Employers must also provide free protective equipment and formal training for workers using pesticides or hazardous chemicals.
Employment Contract
The employment contract must be available to migrant workers and include comprehensive information about the job offer, wages, overtime pay, and housing and working conditions.
Send money overseas to friends and family
SAWP workers have the opportunity to increase their savings, access better healthcare, and more employment opportunities. If you plan to send money back home, you can easily do so through our app or our website.
Western Union makes it easy for you to help your family with monthly expenses or to send money as a gift. They can either receive the money directly into their bank account, digital wallet, or at an in-person agent location (available options vary by receiving country). Plus, you can easily track your money transfer in real time so that you have peace of mind.
