Amnesty International has revealed disturbing conditions faced by migrant workers in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). In its latest report, the organization interviewed 44 individuals from 14 countries, shedding light on widespread exploitation, including unpaid wages and excessive work hours. The report highlights that these workers, primarily from the Global South, face severe hardships and discrimination in a country known for its human rights advocacy.
Among the testimonies, Bénédicte, a Cameroonian woman, shared her harrowing experience of racist psychological and sexual abuse while working on a farm. Her closed two-year work permit tied her to an employer who canceled it when she left, leaving her with irregular migration status. Bénédicte's story underscores the vulnerability of migrant workers under contracts that often stipulate zero rest days.
"I did not expect to be a slave here." – Bénédicte
The Amnesty report also brings attention to the structural flaws in Canada's TFWP, which critics argue allows employers to hire migrant workers for predominantly low-paid jobs. Many of these workers endure inadequate housing conditions, with some lacking access to basic necessities like drinking water. A Guatemalan worker named Miguel reported being threatened and constantly surveilled by his employer, while another individual faced severe control measures at work.
Erika Guevara-Rosas from Amnesty International expressed deep concern over these findings.
"The abuse experienced by migrant workers in Canada is deeply troubling, especially for a country that claims to be a leader when it comes to protecting human rights." – Erika Guevara-Rosas
The report calls for urgent reforms to the TFWP structure to ensure better protection and fair treatment for migrant workers. Amnesty urges Canadian leaders to address these systemic issues and uphold the country's commitment to human rights.
