On Tuesday, November 20th, 2012 Penticton & Area Women’s Centre held an Action Planning Forum in Oliver to work on the seasonal farm labour issue. About thirty representatives from communities, farmers and farm workers between Summerland and Keremeos gathered to discuss the topic of seasonal farm labour. It has been a very productive meeting with many good suggestions from participants. We all learned about different experience and approaches to the issue in each community.

By lunch we were able to create a list of issues grouped under five main subjects:

– Cross-cultural education;

– Accommodation;

– Transportation;

– Safety & Security;

– Remuneration and Labour.

The afternoon part of the Forum was focused on suggesting solutions. We have formed a Steering Committee which will further work on developing concrete steps based on suggestions received at the Forum.

The Committee consists of twelve volunteers who are meeting on Friday, December 1st in Penticton to select the priorities and delegate tasks among themselves.

I wish to thank all the participants and volunteers for taking time to work with us on this very important issue as well as very generous donors who made this event possible.

Wilfred Barranoik of Westrand, Summerland has been exceptional facilitator. Special thank you goes to Oliver Elks Lodge for donating the Hall, Auntie Ag’s Seafood Café in Oliver for donating seafood chowder for all participants, Country Style BBQ of Oliver for making sandwiches, SOBLC, SOSTU and Gladys Brown, farmer from Midway for their financial contributions towards the Project.

If anyone wants more information or join our Steering Committee, please contact:

Lilly Zekanovic
Project Co-ordinator
From Discord To Action: Seasonal Farm Labour

Penticton & Area Women’s Centre
250-493-6822 ext. 109
Email: farmwork.pawc@gmail.com
www.pawc.ca