Special challenges face offshore workers when it comes to dealing with virus

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — As we adjust to the rapidly changing world in 2020, with social distancing and self isolating becoming new phrases in our vocabulary, another thought has crossed the minds of many.

This area is very reliant on offshore workers to keep the greenhouse industry going and those workers who are already here are being educated as to what they need to do to protect themselves and others during this crisis.

Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald has been helping ‘connect the dots’ between the workers, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit and the employers involved in the offshore worker community. With help from the Mexican Consulate and the Migrant Workers Community Program, Mayor MacDonald and the municipality have been reaching out to assure the safety of all involved.

“The Health Unit has been working with the farms on an educational piece to make sure the workers have the information,” she said from her home on Friday.

Mayor MacDonald has been working from her kitchen table for the past few days as the COVID-19 crisis develops rapidly.

"It’s really about getting the word out and following through". - Hilda MacDonald

Meanwhile, the Health Unit and Mexican Consulate are rolling out a medical plan for the workers, in the event they get exposed to the virus. In addition, they’ve been working on a plan to somehow enlarge their living spaces, further distancing them from each other.

Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls has been involved as well as the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.

MacDonald says they are reassuring residents and trying to maintain the good relationship they have with the offshore working community.

Grocery stores and other retailers in the area have been contacted and advised on how to control gatherings at their front doors and inside their businesses.

MacDonald says the coming weeks will prove important in the fight against the virus, both for the workers and the general public.

Right now, the intake of migrant workers is restricted by the closing of the borders. There have been conversations with upper levels of government to try and keep the food chain in tact.

Over 70,000 migrants workers normally arrive this time of year across Canada to help in greenhouses and on traditional farms.