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Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Canada Decried as 'Breeding Ground for Slavery'

Wednesday 14 August 2024 - 10:00

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Canada's reliance on temporary foreign workers has faced severe criticism from a United Nations special rapporteur, who has labeled the program as a "breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery." The scathing report from UN investigator Tomoya Obokata reveals troubling power imbalances and discriminatory practices that exploit vulnerable workers from the global south.

Obokata's investigation, which took him to various cities across Canada, uncovered widespread instances of debt bondage, emotional and physical abuse, wage theft, hazardous work conditions, long hours, sexual harassment, and exploitation. Many workers were found to be trapped in debt, having borrowed money to participate in the program and relying on their Canadian wages to repay these debts.

The temporary foreign worker program permits Canadian companies to bring in foreign workers for sectors where local labor is scarce. Originally focused on agriculture, the program has since expanded significantly, now including low-wage jobs in industries such as fast food and construction.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided Canadians with a glimpse into the systemic abuse and exploitation that has long plagued this system. Chris Ramsaroop of the advocacy group Justice for Migrant Workers noted that rights groups have raised concerns about worker exploitation for years, and Obokata's report represents a "day of reckoning" for sectors that have relied on cheap labor while ignoring reports of abuse and discrimination.

The findings have sparked renewed calls for the Canadian government to reform the temporary foreign worker program. Obokata asserted that the only way to end exploitation is by granting workers permanent resident status, a move the federal government has so far resisted. Instead, the government has promised "stricter and more rigorous oversight" and the possibility of sector-specific work permits, which advocacy groups have criticized as a "divide and rule" tactic that deprives workers of power.

Ramsaroop highlighted that the exploitation of temporary foreign workers extends beyond mistreatment to include "racial dehumanization." He expressed concern that criticism of the program might be "weaponized" to fuel xenophobia and racism against individuals with precarious immigration status.

As the debate over the future of the temporary foreign worker program continues, the UN report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reform. Advocates argue that exploiting vulnerable workers is an unacceptable cost for Canadian companies, and the country must find a way to protect the rights and dignity of all workers, regardless of their country of origin.