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Migrant Fears Silence Over Deaths on Jersey Farms
26 Feb
Summary
- Migrant workers fear job loss for reporting workplace issues.
- A worker died in a fire while trying to keep his cold accommodation warm.
- Officials admit systems are reactive, with no routine checks on worker housing.
A recent inquest has brought to light significant concerns regarding the welfare of migrant workers on Jersey. George Michael Monte De Ramos Castrudes, a 37-year-old Filipino national working under a seasonal contract, died in 2025 following a fire he lit for warmth in inadequate accommodation at La Valette nursery.
The inquest heard testimony that migrant employees often fear raising complaints about their employment due to worries about compromising their job status or immigration standing. Jersey's customs service confirmed their approach to permit applications and worker accommodation standards is largely reactive, without routine checks on housing conditions.
Environmental health officers described Castrudes' accommodation as 'unacceptable' and 'unfit for human habitation' due to severe cold. The fire safety report indicated insufficient heating, making cost-efficient warming impossible. The Jersey Farmers' Union acknowledged that portable cabin accommodations are being phased out and awaits inquest findings to update guidance for farms.
While the Jersey Farmers' Union and a Philippine recruitment agency facilitate contracts, neither reported receiving complaints specifically about La Valette's accommodation. The union suggested that the high return rate of Filipino farmworkers indicates general satisfaction, though they are updating their accommodation guidelines.
