Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP) has been criticized by Amnesty International for enabling significant abuse and discrimination against migrant workers. According to their report, titled ‘Canada has destroyed me’: Labour exploitation of migrant workers in Canada, the TFWP allows employers to hire migrant workers for low-paying jobs in sectors like agriculture, construction, and care. Workers on TFWP visas are tied to a single employer, creating a power imbalance that fosters exploitation.
Migrant workers report experiences of long hours, inadequate pay, and various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, and emotional mistreatment. Many claim they were assigned tasks outside their contractual agreements, worked under unsafe conditions, and faced discrimination in the workplace. Reports indicate that these workers often lack necessary housing and healthcare, leading to precarious living situations.
Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director of Amnesty International, highlights the troubling reality faced by these workers—”Many migrant workers have told us they came to Canada hoping to secure a better future, yet instead, they felt they were treated like slaves. These workers are vital for putting food on the country’s tables and caring for the elderly. They deserve much better.”
The TFWP often places workers in remote areas, making them rely heavily on their employers for basic needs such as housing and healthcare. This dependency creates vulnerability, as workers risk rapid repatriation if they fall sick or injuries occur on the job. For example, Benedicte from Cameroon recounts severe abuse from her employer, leading her to feel enslaved—all after being promised a better life.
A significant number of interviewed workers reported unpaid wages and extreme working conditions. Some contracts even required zero rest days, while instances of verbal and physical abuse were noted, demonstrating systemic discrimination against these marginalized groups. A Jamaican worker reported being told to go back to her native country, reflecting the deep-seated racism present within such employment contexts.
Many migrant workers choose to remain silent about their abuses due to fears of retaliation or job loss, particularly since Canada’s enforcement system is complex and largely unhelpful for those with precarious status. Walter, another migrant worker, shared that disobedience could lead to deportation, revealing the dire repercussions faced when workers seek justice or simply refuse to endure mistreatment.
The systemic discrimination ingrained within the TFWP does not allow for labor mobility, severely impacting low-skilled workers, primarily from the Global South. According to Guevara-Rosas, “Labour exploitation of migrant workers under Canada’s temporary visa programme is not the result of just a few unscrupulous employers. Instead, the programme has been designed in a way that enables abuses against the migrant workers.”
Despite awareness from Canadian authorities about these issues, solutions offered have been woefully inadequate. Guevara-Rosas asserts real change would require dismantling tied visas and implementing open work permits, allowing workers more freedom akin to Canadian workers. This critical reform hinges on addressing the root causes of exploitation that many migrant workers face within Canada’s immigration framework.
Initially launched in 1973, Canada’s TFWP has evolved, yet remains reliant on tied visas that subjugate workers to their employers. As the Canadian government continues to reconsider its immigration policies, the urgency for reform that ensures the protection and rights of migrant workers has never been clearer.
According to Amnesty International, Canada’s TFWP allows significant abuse of migrant workers, tying them to one employer and creating vulnerability. Workers report unpaid wages, long hours, and various abuses, including discrimination. Many fear reporting mistreatment, risking deportation. Systematic reform is vital for guaranteeing migrant workers’ rights and protections.
The Amnesty International report sheds light on the systemic issues within Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Programme, highlighting pervasive abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. Deficiencies in protections and safeguards have left many workers vulnerable to mistreatment and discrimination. Urgent reform is essential to establish fair and humane treatment, aligning Canada’s practices with its stated human rights commitments.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
