The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is seeking fruit and vegetable farm owners, including greenhouse operators, interested in participating in a pilot to source temporary foreign workers (TFWs) from El Salvador through the TFW Ag Stream program in the upcoming 2024 season.

Pilot details:

-  Interested farms express interest to OFVGA in being part of the pilot.

-  OFVGA facilitates direct contact between the farm and El Salvador government staff who manage the temporary foreign worker program in El Salvador, which may include phone/zoom calls and/or in-person meeting to discuss the farm’s needs.

-  After discussion with the El Salvador program team, the farm makes a decision on whether or not to fill some of the farm’s 2024 LMIA positions with TFWs from El Salvador.

-  If a farm decides to proceed with hiring from El Salvador, they work directly with El Salvador’s program team.

Participating farms would be expected to share any relevant feedback about their experience with OFVGA afterward. OFVGA will use feedback received to determine next steps, e.g. continuation of pilot and/or additional supports or information needed for participating employers.

Summary of El Salvador’s off-shore worker program:

-  Recruitment, registration, screening, and processing of workers is government-managed by El Salvador, no 3rdparty recruiters.

-  More than 100,000 registered workers in labour pool with agricultural work qualifications.

-  Workers receive government support to secure required documentation, including visa application, biometrics, medical exam, etc.

-  Workers have consular support available during their employment in Canada.

If your farm is interested in participating in the pilot or learning more about it, please contact OFVGA’s Stefan Larrass at slarrass@ofvga.org or by phone at (519) 803-9914.   The pilot will accept about 10 applications on a first-come, first-served basis.

Source: Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association August 25, 2023 member’s note