A recent report by the United Nations’ special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery highlights various abuses faced by temporary foreign workers in Canada. These include wage theft, long work hours, lack of breaks, and even physical abuse. Special rapporteur Tomoya Obokata labeled the temporary foreign workers program as a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery” based on his findings in Canada.
The report details instances of underpayment, lack of protective gear, confiscation of documents, arbitrary reduction of working hours, and barriers preventing workers from accessing healthcare. It also mentions cases of sexual harassment and abuse reported by women workers. Additionally, the report criticizes authorities for not taking complaints seriously and redirecting them to immigration authorities instead of investigating.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller, while objecting to the term “contemporary slavery,” acknowledged the reported abuses and emphasized the need to address them promptly. He assured that changes to the program are forthcoming but emphasized the government’s caution in avoiding food price inflation, especially in the agricultural sector where most temporary foreign workers are employed.
The report attributes the mistreatment to power imbalances and lack of information about rights among temporary foreign workers. It criticizes the government for relying on employers to inform workers about their rights, creating a conflict of interest. The report also highlights the issue of closed work permits tying workers to specific employers, potentially leading to debt bondage.
A similar 2022 report from the Migrant Workers Centre in B.C. echoes the UN findings, noting ongoing abuse and exploitation of temporary foreign workers. Despite government efforts to crack down on non-compliance, advocates like Amanda Aziz express concerns that these measures are not effectively preventing abuse. The spokesperson for Labour Minister Randy Boissonnault cited fines and employer bans as part of the government’s enforcement actions, but advocates argue that more needs to be done to protect workers’ rights and safety.
Overall, both reports underscore the need for stronger measures to address the mistreatment of temporary foreign workers in Canada and ensure their well-being and rights are protected.