Alberta Federation of Labour unearths documents showing scope and effects of Temporary Foreign Worker program

EDMONTON – Internal government documents paint a clear picture of the terrible consequences for working Albertans if Premier Jim Prentice is allowed to re-open TFW floodgates, as he has vowed to.

The documents, obtained by the Alberta Federation of Labour through federal access to information and privacy (ATIP) requests, show thousands of Alberta-based businesses are disproportionately relying on Temporary Foreign Workers — many with workforces that are more than 50 per cent TFWs. They also show many Alberta businesses are being granted work permits that allow them to pay TFWs far below the rate offered to Canadians. This includes employers in oil-sands related construction, where some of the best jobs in our economy can be found.

“The premier should make good jobs for Albertans his top priority, rather than making it a priority to help businesses pass them over,” Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said. “Too many good jobs, particularly in Alberta’s oil sands construction, are going to TFWs. What should be the best-paying trades jobs in the Canadian economy are going to Temporary Foreign Workers at far less than the going rate.”

When: 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 26, 2014

Where: Ironworkers’ Union Local 720, 10504 – 122 Street, Edmonton

Who: Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL)

Representatives from the Ironworkers’ Local 720

What: Government documents show consequences of reopening TFW floodgates

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.218.4351 (cell)
or via e-mail orokne@afl.org