Employees of Cargill Meat processing plant fearful for future
Posted Apr 26, 2020 1:14 pm.
HIGH RIVER – An organization that works with immigrants says the temporary closure of the Cargill slaughterhouse in southern Alberta due to a COVID-19 outbreak has many among its largely Filipino workforce fearful for the future.
Marichu Antonio from Action Dignity says the possibility of death is real, and they’re afraid because they are the main breadwinners for their families.
Cesar Cala, a co-convener of the Filipino Emergency Response Task Force, says a significant number of plant employees are temporary foreign workers here in Canada alone.
He says those who are sending money home often look to save expenses by moving in with other workers, and carpool to work.