Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program Faces Allegations of Systemic Exploitation

Overview

• Amnesty International’s report highlights systemic abuse under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), including wage theft, unsafe conditions, and excessive work hours.
• The program’s ‘closed’ work permits tie workers to a single employer, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and unable to change jobs without risking deportation.
• Migrant workers, primarily from racialized and low-income countries, report enduring physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as inadequate housing and limited healthcare access.
• The Canadian government has increased inspections and penalties for non-compliant employers but has been criticized for failing to address the root causes of exploitation.
• Amnesty International urges Canada to replace ‘closed’ permits with open work visas to ensure better protections and compliance with international human rights standards.