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Canada announces measures to curb misuse of Temporary Foreign Worker Program
As part of the new measures, the government will refuse to process applications for low-wage foreign workers in metropolitan areas where the unemployment rate is six per cent or higher.
"We no longer need as many temporary foreign workers,” said PM Justin Trudeau in a press conference. / X/@JustinTrudeau
The federal government of Canada has announced new measures to tackle the misuse and fraud within the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, They now aim to prioritize hiring qualified Canadian workers. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault revealed the plan. Itis expected to significantly reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in the country by 65,000.
This comes after the country's temporary foreign worker program was described as a 'breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery' in a report by UN investigator Tomoya Obokata.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they didn't need as many temporary foreign workers now in a press conference on Aug.21.
“We need Canadian businesses to invest in training and technology and not increase their reliance on low-cost foreign labour. It’s not fair to Canadians struggling to find a good job, and it’s not fair to those temporary foreign workers, some of whom are being mistreated and exploited," said Trudeau.
As part of the new measures, the government will refuse to process applications for low-wage foreign workers in metropolitan areas where the unemployment rate is six per cent or higher. Additionally, businesses will be restricted to hiring a maximum of 10 per cent of their total workforce through the TFW program.
The maximum duration for workers employed under the low-wage stream will be reduced from two years to one year. However, exceptions will be made for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in essential sectors such as food security, construction, and health care.
These changes are set to take effect on Sept.26. Over the next 90 days, the government will also be reviewing the higher wage streams of temporary workers, as well as unemployment rates and other factors, to determine if further adjustments are necessary later this fall.
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