Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is facing severe criticism as Amnesty International reveals the alarming extent of abuse and discrimination experienced by migrant workers. A report released on Thursday details how the program's structure fosters exploitation, with many laborers from the Global South subjected to threats, wage theft, and unsafe working conditions.
According to the report, titled 'Canada Has Destroyed Me: Labour Exploitation of Migrant Workers in Canada,' nearly 70% of the work permits issued under the TFWP come from countries like Mexico, India, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Jamaica. These countries represent the majority of workers seeking opportunities to improve their livelihoods but instead encounter harsh realities.
Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, emphasized, "Exploitation, discrimination and abuse are integral features, not bugs, of the Temporary Foreign Worker program." She argued for comprehensive reforms instead of mere cosmetic changes, reitering the need to align the program with Canada’s human rights obligations.
Many workers are lured to Canada with promises of fair treatment only to face grueling conditions once they arrive. Bénédicte, from Cameroon, recounted being subjected to psychological and sexual abuse, working 70–80-hour weeks for inadequate pay, and suffering health issues due to extreme working conditions. After leaving her employment, she was left with irregular status as her employer canceled her work permit. "I did not expect to be a slave here," she stated.
Erika Guevara-Rosas, senior director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International, remarked, "The abuse experienced by migrant workers is deeply troubling for a country claiming to champion human rights. Many came here hoping for a brighter future but instead felt treated like slaves." Workers frequently reported long hours, unpaid wages, and racial discrimination, including derogatory names and physical mistreatment.
The TFWP design ties workers to their employers through closed work permits, minimizing their ability to switch jobs or report abuse due to fear of deportation. Amnesty’s report called these arrangements not just unfair, but constitutive of systemic discrimination. They disproportionately affect workers who are already marginalized due to race or economic status.
Francisco, one migrant worker, described his experience by saying, "The employer gets what he wants, but when [the worker] is no longer useful to him, he simply sends [the worker] back. It's like throwing away rubbish and saying it’s no longer useful." This quote encapsulates the sentiment shared by many interviewed by Amnesty International.
The report notes persistent issues with the enforcement of existing laws. Despite the Canadian government's attempts to increase penalties for non-compliant employers, Amnesty insists these measures are insufficient. Recent statistics revealed 649 inspections were conducted, but 11% were found non-compliant. Even so, fines issued were deemed too minimal to deter widespread abuses.
Julia Sande, Amnesty International Canada's human rights law and policy campaigner, added, "Pretty much every worker we interviewed recounted multiple human rights abuses." The group urged the government to revisit the handling of the TFWP, stressing the need for systemic policy changes rather than narrow or piecemeal adjustments.
Canada's TFWP began in 1973, initially aimed at filling labor shortages, but has evolved to become heavily reliant on the exploitation of migrant labor. Critics argue the program effectively creates a modern system of slavery, especially as it persists with employer-specific permits.
Calls for reform have gained momentum, particularly following statements from international observers who characterized the TFWP as systematically abusive. The UN has echoed similar sentiments, reinforcing reports by Amnesty International about the program's failures.
With increasing scrutiny on immigration policies and labor practices, many urge the Canadian government to abolish closed work permits and instate open work permits instead. This change would grant migrant workers the freedom to change jobs and seek safer working conditions.
"Labour exploitation is not just the result of bad employers; it is embedded within the framework of the TFWP," emphasized Guevara-Rosas. She reiterated the need for immediate changes to prevent any future injustices against those who rely on this program for their livelihoods.
Recent policy shifts have seen the Canadian government introduce restrictions aimed at reducing the number of migrant workers, which has worried advocates of migrant rights. They fear this may only exacerbate existing problems for those seeking safety and opportunity through the TFWP.
While some advocacy groups laud incremental improvements, they maintain significant gaps remain, especially concerning transparency and accountability. Many workers feel trapped between economic necessity and fear of reprisal, leading to continued suffering and silence.
The voices of migrant workers must be amplified, as they truly represent the struggles faced under the TFWP. The hearts and hands laboring on Canadian farms, construction sites, and care facilities deserve dignity, fair treatment, and the right to pursue just conditions.
The momentum for reform appears to be growing, but the road to improvement for migrant workers is lined with challenges. A call for immediate action resonates among advocates, making it clear: change is long overdue.