Canada defends efforts to protect temporary foreign workers after criticism from UN

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) – Canada defended its efforts to protect temporary foreign workers in the country following criticism from a UN report.

The office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages highlighted Thursday the responsibilities of employers and the federal government in ensuring protections for the safety of foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP).

"The health and safety of Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) in Canada is paramount. It is the responsibility of employers who hire TFW’s to ensure their safety and wellbeing for the entirety of their employment. It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that employers are complying with the program and to hold those who are not to account," Minister Randy Boissonnault's office told Anadolu.

The response came following a recent UN report that said Canada's temporary foreign worker program "serves as a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery."

The report also criticized Canada's handling of vulnerable workers and its "colonial legacy" effect on marginalized groups.

Noting significant improvements in monitoring and enforcement, the statement said 2,122 inspections under the TFWP were completed in the last fiscal year.

It said the inspections resulted in $2.1 million in fines—a 36% increase from the previous year, and that the number of employers banned from the program also rose, with 12 bans issued compared to seven the prior year.

As stricter oversight in high-risk areas during the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and inspections were introduced in May, Boissonnault's office also confirmed that increasing LMIA fees to fund additional integrity and processing activities and exploring future regulatory changes regarding employer eligibility is being considered.

"The Government of Canada remains committed to working with partners and stakeholders to continuously find ways to strengthen the TFWP’s integrity to enhance temporary foreign worker protections,” the statement added.