A Look into the Reduction in Temporary Foreign Workers

On August 26, 2024, Prime Minister Trudeau announced a reduction in temporary foreign workers, with more immigration changes to come to the number of permanent residents Canada will accept in the upcoming year.

What spurred this on? Did You Know?

On July 22, 2024, the UN published a report calling Canada’s temporary foreign workers program a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery.”

After visiting five major Canadian cities in 2023, including Vancouver, Special Rapporteur, Tomoya Obokata, found that wage theft, excessive work hours, limited breaks, and physical abuse are just some of the ways Canada’s temporary foreign workers are mistreated.

Report Findings

• Workers report being underpaid, going without protective equipment, and employers confiscating documents, arbitrarily cutting hours and preventing workers from seeking health care.

• Women report sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse.

Why has no one done anything?

The government shifts a substantial amount of the responsibility for informing temporary foreign workers about their rights onto employers, even though this creates a clear conflict of interest.

The report attributes the abuse to a power imbalance, as temporary foreign workers are restricted to working for the employers who brought them to Canada under “closed work permits.” Additionally, the lack of information about their rights exacerbates the issue.

What about the police?

Unfortunately, the report reveals that the police have not taken complaints seriously. Instead of investigating them, they claim they lack jurisdiction and refer the workers to immigration authorities.

What happens now?

With the increasing amount of violence and injustice being experienced by migrant workers, the Migrant Rights Network is hosting a nationwide protest to bring attention to this growing issue on September 14, 2024.

For more information about your legal rights you can go to salcbc.org and for more information about the protest you can visit migrantrights.ca

Is there anything else I can do?

Since 2019, SALCBC has been hosting free legal education webinars and pro bono legal clinics to help ensure temporary foreign workers receive access to justice and legal education.

Learn about your rights by booking a legal education workshop or a summary advice appointment.