Amnesty International has released a damning report, revealing widespread abuse and discrimination against migrant workers in Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The report, based on interviews with 44 workers from 14 countries, exposes "harmful provisions" in the program that leave workers vulnerable to exploitation.
Many workers reported unpaid wages, excessive hours, and discrimination on the job. Some were forced to work without rest days, while others suffered severe injuries or developed medical conditions due to unsafe working conditions.
A woman from Cameroon, Bénédicte, shared her horrific experience of racist, psychological, and sexual abuse by her employer.
Meanwhile, Amnesty has criticized the TFWP's structure, which ties workers to a single employer, controlling both their migration status and labor conditions.
This creates a power imbalance, leaving workers vulnerable to abuse. The report also highlighted inadequate housing conditions, with some workers lacking access to drinking water.
Amnesty is urging the Canadian government to implement reforms to protect migrant workers' rights.
"The abuse experienced by migrant workers in Canada is deeply troubling," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, senior director at Amnesty International.
The Canadian government has acknowledged the report and claims to be taking steps to strengthen protections for temporary foreign workers.
Nancy Caron, spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), stated that the government takes the safety and dignity of temporary foreign workers seriously and has implemented measures to protect workers, including open work permits and a tip line to report wrongdoing.
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