The federal government is considering caqnges to the temporary foreign workers program which would allow them to switch jobs if they have an employment offer from another farmer.
It would also apply to fisheries industry workers, according
to a document leaked by an organization for temporary foreign workers.
It would be a huge gain for workers who now may only work
for the farmer who brought them to Canada. Some have described that as slavery.
Internal documents from Employment and Social Development
Canada – the ministry in charge of the program – detail proposals to introduce
a new sector-specific permit for workers in the agricultural and fish
processing industries.
The work permits would also be issued for two years instead
of the current one year.
The internal document outlines six proposals for changes including
guidelines related to housing, wages, access to health care and transportation
for workers.
They were based on feedback from employer associations and
labour groups gathered over the past
year.
There is no mention of another wish: that temporary foreign
workers could qualify for permanent residence status after several years
working in Canada.
