WEEK 6: FOOD AND LABOUR Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 5 food chain workers?
A
- production
- processing
- distribution
- retail
- service
2
Q
What are food movements?
A
- consumers are involved in environmental activism
- movements –> consumers question choices –> impact environment
- movements are sustainability focused
3
Q
How are food workers treated in North America?
A
- largest employer in US
- poorly paid with no growth
- food insecure and rely on food stamps
- increase in injuries
- poor labour union
4
Q
Key parts of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
A
- workers stay for limited time
- cannot apply for landed immigrant status or citizenship
- pay for EI but cannot claim it
- no paternal/maternal benefits (EI)
- unable to unionize
- forced to pay CPP but lack payout
5
Q
Key parts of farmworkers and power structures
A
- poor pay and conditions
- hire marginalized workers
- power hierarchies/abuse
- paternalism
6
Q
Key parts of the history of cheap farm labour
A
- agriculture has depended on poor people and slaves
- farm owners are reliant on cheap and exploitative labour (immigrants, seasonal workers)
7
Q
What is ethnic succession in farm labour?
A
when employers move from hiring workers of a demographic with power to a more vulnerable group with less power
8
Q
Key parts of labour laws and farm workers
A
- farmworkers are excluded from these laws
- most work overtime without extra pay
- health and safety issues
- barriers to healthcare and insurance
9
Q
Main health risks of farm workers
A
- occupational hazards
- poor ventilation, agrochemicals
- heavy lifting, posture, unsafe equipment, confined, unsafe transportation
- poor housing
- stress, cultural dislocation, no social support, mental health
10
Q
How do the working conditions compare with regular jobs
A
- temporary jobs offer few benefits
- unstable, low paid, unpredictable schedules
- no vacations
- likely to be sick
11
Q
How is farm work dangerous?
A
- wage theft
- denial of medical care
- fired after injury
- sexual harassment and assault
12
Q
What is the government doing about this issue?
A
- government regulations
- environmental and consumer protection
- monitor wages/salaries
- Acts: Fair Labour, Occupational Safety and Health, Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection
13
Q
What are the challenges of government regulations?
A
- too many farm workers but few govt employees making effort
- reliant on calls and complaints but workers refuse to complain for fear of being fired
- farm owners think current conditions are just fine
