Quebec Halts Entry of Low-Wage Temporary Foreign Workers in Montreal, Canada

Due to worries about exploitation and abuse within Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Quebec has temporarily stopped allowing low-wage temporary foreign workers into Montreal and has suspended applications for six months.

For the time being, Quebec has stopped accepting new temporary foreign workers to fill low-paying jobs in Montreal, Canada. With effect from September 3, this decision will block applications for positions paying less than $27.47 an hour for six months.

The United Nations described Canada’s temporary foreign worker program as a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery,” which prompted the decision.

Sectors Exempt from the Suspension

• Agriculture
• Social Services
• Construction
• Education
• Food Processing

These industries are unaffected by the suspension, thus they are free to keep employing foreign labor as needed.

Issues With the Program for Temporary Foreign Workers

This action is in response to a report that was critical of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) by UN investigator Tomoya Obokata. The program was called a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery” in the July 22 report by Obokata. The power disparities that favor employers and prevent employees from standing up for their rights were highlighted in the report.

Understanding Canada’s TFWP

Employers in Canada are permitted to temporarily hire foreign nationals under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to cover labor shortages across a range of industries. The program helps firms satisfy demand when local labor is scarce, and it is especially useful in the agriculture, construction, and service industries.

Historical Background and Present-Day Exams

Canadian firms, especially those in the agriculture sector, have long used the TFWP as a tool to satisfy their seasonal labor demands. However, because low-wage jobs like fast-food attendants have increased significantly, the program is coming under increased criticism.

• The first quarter of 2024: A 25% rise over the previous year saw a surge in government approvals for low-wage workers under the TFWP, totaling 28,730.
• Impact of COVID-19: Following business group demands for labor solutions during severe shortages following the epidemic, approvals increased.

Report Emphasizes Injustice and Abuse

Serious problems inside the TFWP were highlighted in the UN assessment, including:

• Wage theft and underpayment
• Abuse that is verbal, emotional, or physical
• Working too much and taking too few breaks
• The seizure of private records
• Reductions in working hours without cause
• Sexual assault and mistreatment of female employees

Although the program allows participants to apply for an open work visa, many workers find this option unfeasible due to the process’s complexity, according to the research.

Increase in the Low-Wage Stream

The temporary foreign worker program’s low-wage stream has grown significantly in recent years. Employers were given government approval to hire 28,730 workers through this stream in the first quarter of 2024, a 25% increase from the same period the year before.

Conclusion

Growing concerns over the Temporary Foreign Worker Program are reflected in Quebec’s decision to suspend the admission of low-wage foreign workers into Montreal. The program’s future is still unknown as scrutiny grows due to the growing body of information regarding abuse and exploitation.