Migrant workers in Canada exposed to “shocking abuse and discrimination,” Amnesty says

Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada: A Deeper look at the Issues

October 26, 2023
By Archys

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has come under intense scrutiny, bringing the experiences of migrant workers in the country into sharp focus.A recent report by amnesty International paints a troubling picture, highlighting the stark realities faced by these individuals and uncovering serious concerns about potential abuse and exploitation within the program.

The TFWP,which allows employers to hire foreign workers for a range of low-wage jobs across various sectors,has been criticized for creating vulnerabilities for these workers. Amnesty International’s comprehensive report, based on interviews with 44 migrant workers from 14 different countries, reveals chilling stories of “shocking abuse and discrimination.”

One of the most concerning aspects of the program, according to Amnesty International, is the system of “harmful provisions” that contribute to these vulnerabilities. These include closed work permits that tie a worker’s immigration status to a single employer. This dependence on a single employer can leave workers particularly susceptible to poor labor practices and exploitation.The report’s findings paint a disturbing picture: migrant workers report widespread issues including unpaid wages, excessively long working hours, and a complete lack of rest days in some cases. These accounts, directly from the migrant workers themselves, underscore the urgent need for reform within the TFWP.

Bénédicte, a woman from Cameroon who worked on a Canadian farm under a two-year closed work permit, bravely shared her harrowing experience with Amnesty International. She described enduring not only racist psychological abuse but also horrifying sexual assault at the hands of her employer.Making matters worse, when Bénédicte finaly sought to escape this abusive situation and left the farm in July 2018, her employer callously revoked her work permit, leaving her in a precarious legal limbo.Bénédicte’s story is just one of manny that expose the dark underbelly of the Canadian agricultural industry. It serves as a stark reminder that behind the idyllic image of Canadian farms often portrayed in media lies a reality of exploitation and human rights violations.

Concerns Raised Over Treatment of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada

A recent report by Amnesty International canada has exposed disturbing accounts of exploitation faced by temporary foreign workers in the country.housing conditions have emerged as a particularly pressing issue, with some workers enduring a shocking lack of basic necessities like clean drinking water. These harrowing revelations have sparked calls for urgent reform to protect the vulnerable rights of these workers.

“The government of canada takes the safety and dignity of temporary foreign workers very seriously and has been taking strong action to protect workers,” stated Nancy Caron, spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). She emphasizes that temporary foreign workers enjoy the same employment standards,rights,and protections as Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, Amnesty international Canada, through its official representative Ketty Nivyabandi, urges Canadian leaders to implement comprehensive reforms.

Nivyabandi believes the current Temporary Foreign Worker Program falls short of upholding Canada’s human rights obligations. “The abuse experienced by migrant workers in Canada is deeply troubling, especially for a country that claims to be a leader when it comes to protecting human rights,” emphasizes Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International. She stresses the urgent need for reforms to “bring the program in line with Canada’s human rights obligations – and, ultimately, to respect the rights of workers.”

The Canadian government maintains its commitment to improving the situation for temporary foreign workers. Caron highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen temporary foreign worker programs, including initiatives aimed at providing access to private health insurance, establishing a tip line for reporting abuses, and introducing “open work permits” to allow workers to change employers more readily.

What Specific Steps Are Canadian Employers Taking to Ensure Temporary Foreign Workers Have Access to Safe and Adequate Housing?

this remains a pressing concern demanding greater clarity and accountability from employers

A Conversation on Temporary Foreign Workers

A recent report by Amnesty international has shed light on the often challenging experiences of temporary foreign workers in Canada, sparking a crucial conversation about their rights and protections. Archyde News spoke with Nancy Caron, a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and Ketty nivyabandi, an official representative of Amnesty International Canada, to delve deeper into the issues raised.

“The government of canada takes the safety and dignity of temporary foreign workers very seriously,” emphasized Caron. “We are disappointed to hear about the experiences highlighted by Amnesty International.However, it’s important to emphasize that temporary foreign workers have the same employment standards, rights, and protections under Canadian law as citizens and permanent residents.”

Nivyabandi, though, argued that the existing Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) falls short of upholding Canada’s human rights obligations. “We believe the TFWP is inherently structured in a way that makes workers vulnerable to exploitation,” she stated. “Closed work permits, such as, tie workers’ immigration status to a single employer, leaving them with little recourse if they face abuse or unfair treatment.”

Nivyabandi called for comprehensive reforms, including accessible grievance mechanisms free from fear of retaliation, open work permits to allow for greater mobility, and strengthened regulations to ensure fair wages and working conditions. “We urge the Canadian government to adopt these changes to protect the rights and well-being of temporary foreign workers,” she stressed.

Caron outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the TFWP. “We are actively working to improve the program,” she explained. “This includes initiatives like providing access to private health insurance, establishing a tip line for reporting abuses, and introducing ‘open work permits’ to allow workers to change employers more readily. We are committed to continuously improving the program and ensuring that temporary foreign workers are treated with dignity and respect.”

The conversation concluded with a broader discussion about the duty employers have in ensuring fair treatment of temporary foreign workers. As we strive to create a just and equitable society, it is indeed imperative that all individuals, irrespective of their immigration status, are treated with fairness and respect.

What specific changes too the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme would you advocate for to better protect the rights and well-being of temporary foreign workers in Canada?

Concerns Raised Over Treatment of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada

A Conversation on Temporary Foreign workers

A recent report by Amnesty international has shed light on the frequently enough challenging experiences of temporary foreign workers in Canada, sparking a crucial conversation about their rights and protections. Archyde News spoke with Nancy Caron, a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and Ketty nivyabandi, an official representative of Amnesty International Canada, to delve deeper into the issues raised.

“The government of canada takes the safety and dignity of temporary foreign workers very seriously,” emphasized Caron. “We are disappointed to hear about the experiences highlighted by Amnesty international.However, it’s important to emphasize that temporary foreign workers have the same employment standards, rights, and protections under Canadian law as citizens and permanent residents.”

Nivyabandi, though, argued that the existing temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) falls short of upholding Canada’s human rights obligations. “We believe the TFWP is inherently structured in a way that makes workers vulnerable to exploitation,” she stated. “Closed work permits, such as, tie workers’ immigration status to a single employer, leaving them with little recourse if they face abuse or unfair treatment.”

Nivyabandi called for comprehensive reforms, including accessible grievance mechanisms free from fear of retaliation, open work permits to allow for greater mobility, and strengthened regulations to ensure fair wages and working conditions. “We urge the Canadian government to adopt these changes to protect the rights and well-being of temporary foreign workers,” she stressed.

Caron outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the TFWP. “We are actively working to improve the program,” she explained. “This includes initiatives like providing access to private health insurance, establishing a tip line for reporting abuses, and introducing ‘open work permits’ to allow workers to change employers more readily. We are committed to continuously improving the program and ensuring that temporary foreign workers are treated with dignity and respect.”

The conversation concluded with a broader discussion about the duty employers have in ensuring fair treatment of temporary foreign workers. As we strive to create a just and equitable society, it is indeed imperative that all individuals, irrespective of their immigration status, are treated with fairness and respect.

What do you think is needed to ensure that all temporary foreign workers in Canada are treated fairly and with dignity? Share your thoughts in the comments below.