Key Takeaways:

• Amnesty International's report highlights systemic abuse in Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
• Workers face exploitation, including wage theft, excessive hours, and unsafe conditions.
• The program's closed work permits leave many migrant workers vulnerable to abuse.
• Amnesty calls for comprehensive reforms to align the program with human rights obligations.
• Canada's government acknowledges the abuses but claims to be implementing measures for worker protection.

Migrant workers in Canada face alarming levels of abuse and discrimination under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), according to a comprehensive report released by Amnesty International. The rights group alleges that the structure of the TFWP inherently exposes laborers to various forms of exploitation, impacting thousands from countries such as Mexico, India, the Philippines, and Jamaica.

In its report, which examined the experiences of 44 migrant workers across 14 countries, Amnesty points out that the program primarily serves low-wage sectors like agriculture, food processing, and construction. Workers are often burdened with long hours, minimal or no rest days, and in many cases, they remain unpaid for their labor. A significant concern is the "closed" work permit system, which binds these laborers to a single employer, effectively making their migration status vulnerable to the whims of their bosses.

Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, articulated the critical need for reform, stating, "Exploitation, discrimination, and abuse are integral features, not bugs, of the Temporary Foreign Worker program." She emphasized that mere cosmetic changes would not suffice to remedy these systemic issues. Various personal accounts highlighted in the report describe harrowing experiences, where workers like Bénédicte, a Cameroonian, faced not only wage theft but also psychological and sexual abuse, leaving her feeling like a "slave" in a foreign land.

Furthermore, it was reported that many workers suffered severe injuries or developed medical conditions due to lack of safety protocols. Some recounted horrifying experiences of living in substandard housing conditions or even being deprived of basic necessities such as drinking water. Francisco, a Mexican worker, provided testimony reflecting the desperation: “The employer gets what he wants, but when [the worker] is no longer useful to him … he simply sends [the worker] back.”

Amnesty’s findings suggest a broader issue at play, characterized by systemic discrimination against racialized workers, exacerbated by the closed permit structure. This leaves a significant portion of the workforce without pathways to permanent residency, thus perpetuating a cycle of exploitation.

In response to the report, the Canadian government acknowledged the serious allegations and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting temporary foreign workers. Nancy Caron, spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), pointed out that the government has been taking steps to strengthen protections, including providing access to health insurance and enhancing mechanisms for reporting abuses. However, many advocates argue that without abolishing closed work permits and instituting open visa systems, the root causes of these abuses will remain unaddressed.

The ongoing dialogue surrounding Canada's TFWP stresses a dire need for systemic policy changes to ensure that the rights and safety of migrant workers are prioritized, reflecting Canada’s obligations to uphold human rights. For a closer look at the comprehensive report by Amnesty International, refer to the full findings on India Times.