August 7, 2017  Community to Community Development

Bellingham, WA- After learning of the death of fellow worker Ernesto Silva Ibarra, who requested medical care from his employer Sarbanand Farms and not receiving it, guest workers recently fired for trying to organize, will march tomorrow [Tuesday, August 8, 2017] to the company’s management office in Sumas to demand accountability for Ernesto’s death, as well as to demand pay of their owed wages, and renewal of their expired visas for which the company is responsible. 

WHAT: March to Sarbanand Farms to demand accountability for Ernesto’s death, pay of their owed wages, and renewal of their expired visas for which the company is responsible

WHO: Guest Workers and supporters

WHEN: Tuesday August 8, 2017 12:00PM

WHERE: Starting point “Zapata camp”- 9295 Telegraph Road Sumas WA to Sarbanand Management office – 4751 Rock Road Sumas WA

These workers, recruited under the H2A program, or guest worker program as it’s also known, have expressed that they are charged weekly for food, and receive undercooked food or not enough food. Workers said that the company had installed a policy that if a worker misses more than three days of work, the company threatened with sending them back to their home country.

The unjust situation brought on by the H2A program has garnered overwhelming support for the guest workers in Whatcom County.