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Man. seasonal workers getting provincial insurance

May 16, 2013, Winnipeg, Man – The Manitoba government is ensuring that seasonal agricultural workers have provincial health coverage while working in the province.

Effective this summer, seasonal agricultural workers will become eligible for Manitoba Health coverage while they work in the province, waiving wait times for eligibility.

There are between 300 and 400 workers who come from Mexico and Caribbean countries to do seasonal agricultural work in Manitoba every year.

Currently, these workers are required to have health insurance through a private insurer and pay out of pocket for it.

Jennifer deGroot, co-chair, Migrant Worker Solidarity Network, says the move gives workers peace of mind knowing in their time of medical need they won’t be facing mounting health-care bills.