Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
What is SAWP?
Working according to bilateral agreements between Canada and participating countries*, SAWP allows agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers on a seasonal basis in order to fill labour shortages. Employers can hire foreign workers from participating countries for a maximum of 8 months, between January 1 and December 15, provided they offer workers a minimum of 240 hours of work and within a period of 6 weeks or less.
To qualify for the SAWP, employers must meet 3 criteria:
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TFWs hired must be citizens from Mexico or participating Caribbean countries
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Production must be in specific commodity sectors
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The activity must be related to on farm primary agriculture
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*Participating countries include: Mexico and the Caribbean countries of: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Role of Foreign Government
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recruit and select the TFWs
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make sure workers have the necessary documents
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maintain a pool of qualified workers, and
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appoint representatives to assist workers in Canada
Employer Requirements
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arrange and pay for round-trip transportation of the temporary foreign worker
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provide workers free roundtrip transportation between housing and work location
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provide TFW with adequate, suitable and affordable housing. (Housing may be located on the farm or off-site)
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The Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program has a standard, non-modifiable contract. This contract must be provided to the worker prior to their first day of work
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