Somewhere to Turn

AFL's Temporary Foreign Worker Advocate Project

In Alberta's boom, many employers are turning to temporary foreign workers to meet their labour needs. Temporary foreign workers are vulnerable workers. They are new to Canada and unfamiliar with our rules, customs and, often, language. They are dependent upon their employer for their visa, their work and often their housing and transportation.

These workers are only permitted to stay in Canada for up to two years. If they are in a ticketed trade, they have 6 months to pass the certification exam. At the end of their period, they must return home. They have no right to remain in Canada. 

Some employers take advantage of these workers by not paying them fairly, charging high rents and making unfair demands. At the same time, they are not providing the education these workers require to remain in Canada.

These workers need someone they can turn to for help. However, there is often nowhere for them to turn.

A New Advocate

With the growing number of foreign workers in Alberta, the AFL has decided to establish a Temporary Foreign Worker Advocate to offer services, free-of-charge, to foreign workers having difficulties at work or with immigration.

The Advocate is a trained legal professional in Alberta with expertise in employment issues and immigration. They will provide assistance, advice and referal to temporary foreign workers. For more information, click here.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Advocate is sponsored by the Alberta Federation of Labour. Costs are paid through donations from the AFL, labour unions and other interested organizations.

Read the media release launching the Advocate

Background information on temporary workers

Are you a Temporary Worker in Canada?

You are protected by legal rights while in Canada. Your employer must:

• Meet the Employment Standards Code, including minimum wage, hours of work and overtime pay.
• Obey the Occupational Health and Safety Act, guaranteeing a safe workplace.
• Abide by the Human Rights Code. They cannot discriminate against you for reasons of race, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs.
• Pay a "competitive rate" for the work you perform.
• Treat you no differently than the Canadian workers they employ.

Trouble at Work

Unfortunately, not every employer treats their workers fairly. And as a temporary foreign worker, you are even more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation or unfairness.

You may experience a hard time trying to stand up for your rights. Language barriers, lack of knowledge about the law, lack of community support can get in the way of many foreign workers  being treated fairly.

Trouble with Immigration

Canada's immigration system is complex and hard to understand. It is easy to accidentally break their rules. And if you do, the consequences can mean having to immediately leave Canada and may jeopardize your ability to come back.

Getting Help

Where can you go if you are having trouble with your boss, or with Immigration? This is where we come in.

All services are FREE OF CHARGE for foreign workers. Our purpose is to assist workers only.

The Advocate will phone government officials, assist with filing of complaints and other paperwork.

We will assist with:

• Employment standards and working conditions complaints
• Immigration difficulties
• Other government problems, such as Alberta Health Care
• Other legal problems relating to working in Canada

Contact Us

Temporary Foreign Workers Advocate
1-888-485-3013
tfwadvocate@gmail.com

 

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