MOTIVATIONS OF MEXICAN WORKERS TO PARTICIPATE IN CANADA’S SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS PROGRAM

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study finds three main motivations for Mexican workers to participate in Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (CSAWP): Increasing household livelihood and welfare, investing in farming skills and assets, and improving children’s education and family housing. A factor analysis and a system of equations are used to find out which sociodemographic and economic characteristics of the migrants and their families are associated with each motivation. The most important results show that having more than four children along with being a farmer are positively associated with investing in farming skills and assets but being an agricultural day laborer in Mexico and having less than two children are not associated with any of the motivations.