By Lyonel Doherty
The general manager of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association is strongly encouraging orchardists to plan ahead for the impacts associated with the COVID-19 crisis.
Glen Lucas said growers should be planning for labour shortages, the additional costs of getting temporary foreign workers (TFWs) here, and the risks related to the virus.
“I would advise planning carefully by looking at the risks and extra costs, and seeking out local workers (for harvesting).”
Although the borders are open for TFWs, there are going to be challenges arranging chartered flights (since commercial flights are still very restricted now), Lucas noted.
This will be an added cost to growers. And on top of that, orchardists will have to pay the workers during their two-week quarantine period, Lucas pointed out. Extra sanitation measures will also have to be established.
Lucas said one silver lining is the government’s waiving of the waiting period for TFWs to get BC Medical coverage.
Lucas noted the association is making an effort to get local people into orchards this season. He said people from the oil patch and the hospitality industry are potential candidates for orchard work, but the challenge is wages.
“I think it might be difficult attracting workers for minimum wage (it’s increasing to $14.60 per hour on June 1),” he said.
The association is also putting extra resources into labour orientation and safety training. Because traditional employee numbers will be down, growers will be relying on locals and travelling backpackers to harvest the fruit, Lucas said. He pointed out there will be delays in getting TFWs here, which will likely cause a backlog in work.
And it remains to be seen how the pandemic will impact this summer’s migration of pickers from Quebec. (To date, inter-provincial travel has not been banned.)
Lucas said the BCFGA really wants to get local students in the orchards and hopes to do that through the orientation program.
“It’s hard work,” he admitted. “But we’ll need all hands on deck.”
Lucas stated that growers should focus their efforts on higher value fruit varieties this season, referring to less product for better returns. Whatever the case, growers need to start working on a plan now, he said.
Lucas acknowledged the concern about TFWs and the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak (like the recent one in West Kelowna).
But Lucas pointed out there are tough protocols in place to prevent the spread.
“I think the risk to the public will be minimal to non-existent.”
