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| Protections for foreign workers in Canada
by Atty. Gregory James |
Canada's largest province, Ontario, has just passed a new law designed to punish people who abuse foreign workers.
Under this law anyone who charges a placement or recruitment fee to a foreign worker to work in Ontario now faces fines of up to $50,000 and a year in jail.
There is a ban on employers, or anyone else, trying to collect money or property from foreign workers in Canada.
The basic rule is that no one can require a worker to pay money to get a job. And no one can hold a worker "captive" by seizing their passport and immigration documents.
Does it sound absurd that a worker should pay someone to hire them? To me it does. But this is an ancient practice. Unfortunately, once the worker owes money to the employer, or an agent, it can be very difficult to escape. Too often, employers are able to manipulate such a relationship in such a way that the worker is trapped in a very poor and sometimes even dangerous job, and unable to make enough money to pay his or her way out of the situation.
Employers sometimes take passports in an attempt to get unfair control over the worker.
This law is similar to laws in other Canadian provinces. Like all laws, it is not perfect. But it is an important step forward.
Visa officers will deny applications for work permits if they believe that laws like this have been broken, which gives workers another reason to avoid such relationships.
Skilled workers eligible for immigration to Canada
Among those eligible to apply for immigration to Canada are
- Contractors and Supervisors: Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
- Contractors and Supervisors: Pipefitting trades
- Contractors and Supervisors: Carpentry Trades
- Accommodation Service Managers (including managers of departments inside hotels and motels)
If you have work experience in one of these jobs, you should complete the free assessment form on our website. You can link to the assessment form by clicking here.
Misleading information in immigration department guides and information services
Canada's immigration department claims that its application guides and information services are all you need to file an application. But the department does not promise that such an application will be successful. And the department's information can sometimes be quite misleading.
Relying only upon the department's application guides for help can be dangerous..
If
you would like help with a Canadian
immigration matter, you are welcome to contact Gregory James at
416.538.1301 or 905.502.3502, or at info@GregoryJamesLaw.com. See our
website at www.GregoryJamesLaw.com
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