As part of its mandate to reach out to Filipino temporary workers and their employers, POLO-OWWA Vancouver Team visited worksites in various areas in Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong, Merritt and Agassiz, all located in southern part of British Columbia, to monitor their working conditions and conduct wellness check.
Some of these areas, it may be recalled, were affected during the BC flooding last year where a number of Filipino farm workers were evacuated. The Philippine Consulate in Vancouver and OWWA extended some food provision and clothes to the flood victims in coordination with various NGOs. Most of the Filipino workers in the area are working in farms, greenhouses, restaurants, manufacturing and food services.
The POLO-OWWA team also joined the Philippine Consulate’s outreach activity held in Kelowna where they extended various services including OEC processing, contract verification, OWWA membership renewal, and labor rights counselling.
Among the companies and worksites visited include: Valedoorn Farms Inc. (Agassiz, BC), Shan Holdings o/a Dairy Queen Merritt (Merritt, BC), Brandson Ventures Ltd. / Mcdonalds (Merritt, BC), Tommy Gun's Kelowna Orchard Park Mall and Kelowna Central Park (Kelowna, BC), Anisco Residential & Commercial Services Ltd / 250 Handyman (Vernon, BC), and MAAX Bath Inc. Canada (Armstrong, BC)
The POLO-OWWA team was led by Labor Attaché Jainal Rasul, Jr., with Assistant Labor Attaché Oliva Macawili, OWWA Welfare Officer Lilia Guzman and AS Neil Justin Nicolas.
