Government of Canada offers support to vulnerable migrant workers in Canada
News Release
Temporary foreign workers will benefit from workshops on their rights
December 11, 2017 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program very seriously, including protecting the safety of workers. It is collaborating with stakeholders across the country to improve migrant workers’ experience by making them more aware of their rights and helping them to receive support while working in Canada.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, today announced that the Government of Canada is providing more than $93,000 to the Migrant Workers’ Dignity Association (MWDA) to help migrant workers become better informed about their rights as workers in Canada. The MWDA will use the grant to develop 17 different workshops, information tools, and materials aimed at informing temporary foreign workers on topics such as housing, health care, access to special benefits, and other rights.
The MWDA is a non-profit organization that helps protect and celebrate the rights and dignity of migrant workers in Canada. The goal of the MWDA is to assist in improving the living conditions of temporary foreign workers in Canada. The organization works closely with migrant workers whom they support to collaboratively design projects to ensure they address the needs of foreign workers while they are living in Canada.
Employment and Social Development Canada has been working with community organizations devoted to the protection of vulnerable foreign workers and fulfilling its commitment to find ways to increase awareness and better inform temporary foreign workers of their rights and protections while in Canada. The Department is also working closely with foreign governments and employer associations to determine the needs of foreign workers alongside the labour needs of employers.
Quotes
“When people come to Canada to contribute their talents to support our economic growth, the Government of Canada has a serious responsibility to ensure their rights and freedoms are protected in the same way as any Canadian’s. I am proud to collaborate with an organization like the Migrant Workers’ Dignity Association that shares those same values, and has a proven record of making a difference”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
Quick Facts
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In April 2017, the Government of Canada set a path forward for the TFW Program, including fulfilling its commitment to better protect vulnerable foreign workers. This included a commitment to work with community organizations devoted to protecting vulnerable temporary foreign workers, to ensure workers are informed of their rights and protections when they arrive in Canada.
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In the summer of 2017, ESDC consulted with stakeholders and temporary foreign workers to gain insight into how to increase awareness and improve temporary foreign workers’ access to information on their rights and protections as workers in Canada.
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The Government of Canada is also conducting a review of the Primary Agriculture Stream of the TFW Program, including a study on developing a national standard for employer-provided housing.
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Contacts
Matt Pascuzzo
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
matt.pascuzzo@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-4183
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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