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

Amnesty International calls for urgent reforms, citing widespread labor abuses, discrimination, and lack of protections for migrant workers.

  • 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.
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