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Press Release
TORONTO CONSULATE GENERAL, MIGRANT WORKERS OFFICE JOIN HEALTH AND INFORMATION FAIR IN LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO
2024-04-19
MWO-Toronto rendering assistance to Filipino workers during the Leamington Health and Information Fair
14 April 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO)-Toronto participated in the 2024 Health and Information Fair organized by the Migrant Worker Community Program (MWCP) held at the Roma Club in Leamington, Ontario on 14 April 2024. The MWCP is a non-profit organization funded in part by the government of Canada and aimed at assisting temporary and seasonal workers working in the agricultural sector.
The Health and Information Fair is a “one-stop-shop” event for migrant workers based in Leamington and other municipalities in and around Essex County, Ontario. Called the “Tomato Capital of Canada”, Leamington has the largest concentration of commercial greenhouses in North America. These greenhouses have hired many Filipino agricultural workers, who welcome the regular outreach missions from the Consulate General and MWO – Toronto.
This year’s fair had more than 20 participating organizations. Free services included mental health support, blood pressure test, glucose screenings for diabetes, vaccines, dental screenings, and x-rays; along with connections to legal, income tax, and occupational health and safety supports. More than 500 workers from the Latino, Caribbean and Filipino migrant and temporary worker communities availed of the services.
In his remarks, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate reiterated the Philippine government’s commitment to support Filipino working overseas. He emphasized the importance of health and well-being especially for workers engaged in physical labor. The team from MWO-Toronto led by Welfare Officer Benny Reyes registered newly-arrived Filipino workers and rendered assistance to workers with various concerns. END