Canada’s Foreign Worker Program Described as a ‘Breeding Ground for Contemporary Slavery’ in UN Report

A new United Nations report has sharply criticized Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, calling it a “breeding ground for contemporary slavery.”

The report, authored by UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery Tomoya Obokata, highlights significant abuses faced by workers under the program.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows employers to hire foreign workers for temporary positions when they cannot find qualified Canadians. The number of workers participating in the program has increased significantly, from just over 84,000 in 2018 to nearly 136,000 in 2022. Most of these workers are employed in agriculture and related sectors.

Obokata’s report, dated July 22 and shared with the Canadian federal government before publication, outlines several issues within the program. It reports that workers often have a precarious power imbalance with their employers. If dismissed, they may face deportation, and many are either unaware of their rights or too fearful to report exploitative conditions.

The report also details instances of debt bondage, where workers incur debts to third-party recruiters for costs that employers should bear. The lack of access to justice exacerbates the risks of abuse, including underpayment, wage theft, physical and verbal abuse, excessive work hours, and unsafe working conditions. Women, in particular, have reported sexual harassment and exploitation.

The program is managed by Employment and Social Development Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency, with Quebec’s provincial government also involved. Obokata’s report criticizes the government for deferring responsibility for informing workers about their rights to employers, creating a conflict of interest.

In response, Mathis Denis, spokesperson for the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, stated that the government has increased fines for companies violating working conditions. Last fiscal year, Canadian inspections resulted in fines totalling $2.1 million, up from $1.54 million the previous year. Non-compliant employers are listed on a public website managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Notable fines included $21,000 for a Vancouver Domino’s Pizza location and $15,000 for a Freshii in Richmond, B.C. Ferme L. Campbell et Fils Inc., a Quebec-based farm, was fined $60,000 and banned from the program for failing to ensure a safe and abuse-free workplace.

Denis emphasized the importance of worker safety, stating, “The health and safety of temporary foreign workers (TFW) in Canada is paramount.” He added that recent surveys indicate 76 per cent of workers are aware of their rights, with 80 per cent reporting improved knowledge of available services.

Denis concluded, “It is the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety and well-being of TFWs, and the federal government’s duty to ensure compliance and hold violators accountable.”

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

See Full Bio