VICTORIA -- Despite promises to improve the working conditions of B.C.’s farm workers, five B.C. Liberal MLAs on Monday spoke against an NDP motion proposing specific actions, including roadside spot checks of vehicles and restoration of employment standards protections to farm workers.

Burnaby - Edmonds NDP MLA and former president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union Raj Chouhan said he was saddened but not surprised that the Campbell government had once again showed its true colours when the B.C. Liberal MLAs Val Roddick, Randy Hawes, John Rustad, Blair Lekstrom and Dennis MacKay spoke against his motion debated in the B.C. Legislature yesterday.

“Once again, the government’s actions show that their policies are generated by headlines rather than the real needs in the community,” said Chouhan. “Last month, when the issue of farm worker deaths in an Abbotsford accident was still prominent in the media, we heard all kinds of assurances from this government. Merely weeks later, as many as five B.C. Liberal MLAs chose to rise in the House to oppose my motion meant to improve the lives of B.C.’s farm workers.”

Chouhan moved the following motion in the B.C. Legislature:

“Be it resolved that this House cover farm workers under all relevant provisions of the Employment Standards Act; Be it further resolved that the BC government immediately re-establish the Agricultural Compliance Team (RCMP and WCB) and other inter-agency teams (RCMP, WCB, HRDC, CCRA and Motor Vehicle Branch) to ensure enforcement; Be it further resolved that the roadside spot checks of vehicles is restored and increased; Be it further resolved that the BC government order immediately a public inquiry into the roadside accident of a van carrying farm workers on March 6, 2007.”

New Democrat MLAs Harry Bains, Charlie Wyse and Chuck Puchmayr joined Chouhan in speaking for this motion.

“With the harvest season fast approaching, these actions are key to ensuring safety and the required protections for B.C.’s farm workers. But once again when the moment to act arrived, the B.C. Liberals refused to act.

“This is further proof that the Campbell Liberals aren’t interested in the issues of the working British Columbians and just can’t be trusted,” Chouhan said.

The transcript of the debate can be viewed at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th3rd/H70423x.htm