Migrant Workers in Canada Exposed to Shocking Abuse and Discrimination, Report Says
A new report by Amnesty International has exposed the “shocking abuse and discrimination” suffered by migrant workers in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The report, published on Thursday, criticized the structure of the program, which allows employers to hire workers for low-paid jobs across various sectors.
The report is based on interviews with 44 migrant workers from 14 countries, most from the Global South, who reported being vulnerable to abuse due to “harmful provisions” in the program, including closed work permits that tie workers to a single employer who controls their migration status and labor conditions.
Workers reported experiencing unpaid wages, excessive hours, and Discrimination at work, with many suffering from severe injuries or developing medical conditions due to unsafe working conditions. Some workers reported suffering from racist, psychological, and sexual abuse at the hands of their employers.
The report also highlighted the issue of inadequate housing conditions, with some workers reporting they did not have access to drinking water in their accommodations.
Amnesty International is calling for reforms to bring the program in line with Canada’s human rights obligations and to respect the rights of workers. The Canadian government has acknowledged the report and said it is taking steps to strengthen its temporary foreign worker programs, including introducing measures to help workers obtain private health insurance, a tip line to report wrongdoing, and “open work permits” to allow temporary foreign workers to change employers.