Latest news with #LabourMinistry
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Two people behind bogus temp agencies that exploited asylum seekers sentenced to house arrest
Two people accused of running fraudulent temp agencies that exploited asylum seekers in Montreal have been sentenced to house arrest for 10 and 18 months. Beatriz Adriana Guerrero Munoz, 45, and Hector Lopez Ramos, 51, appeared at the Court of Quebec in Montreal on Monday morning to receive the sentences their lawyers had agreed on with the prosecution. The pair had pleaded guilty to reduced charges three days into their trial in April. Lopez Ramos and Guerrero Munoz were initially charged with with fraud of more than $5,000 against the Quebec and Canadian governments and conspiracy to commit fraud of more than $5,000. They — along with another man, Hector Hair Rodriguez Contreras, 56 — ran a scheme Quebec's Labour Ministry said was the "largest fraud ever committed" against it and for which it estimated government losses at about $635,000. Lopez Ramos and Guerrero Munoz's charges were lessened to summary charges of using forged documents, including tax statements, against the Quebec government. "This isn't the sentence I would have rendered, but since it's been agreed upon by two experienced lawyers, I'm going to accept it," Quebec Court judge Jean-Jacques Gagné said Monday. Prosecutor Genviève Bélanger said afterward that the sentences weren't as heavy as they would have been for the original charges. The sentences also took into account that the accused had saved the government time by cutting the trial short with their guilty pleas, preventing the prosecution from having to prove the exact monetary value of the fraud. "There was an enormous amount of evidence to be presented and analyzed that the court could have considered [in the trial]," because of how many companies, bank accounts and employees they oversaw, Bélanger said in an interview. The trio, led by Rodriguez Contreras, ran a number of temp agencies that hired asylum seekers without work permits and paid them below minimum wage in cash or cheques addressed to false identities they assigned to them. Quebec's Labour Ministry launched probes into the temp agencies following a 2018 CBC News investigation. The story revealed a Haitian asylum seeker was severely injured on the job after being recruited at a Montreal Metro station by the network of temp agencies. The man was given a former worker's name and social insurance number to work under the table at a meat processing plant outside the city. A meat slicer, which he had barely been shown how to use, cut the top of his hand, requiring an emergency skin graft. Lopez Ramos and Guerrero Munoz had pleaded not guilty, but changed their pleas shortly after the man's emotional testimony at trial, outlining how his life had been impacted by the accident — including the pain he still experiences today and the lack of employment opportunities available to him because of it. Lopez Ramos was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest, followed by two years of probation and 100 hours of community service. Investigators confiscated $5,500 and $7,000 US in cash they found in his belongings. Guerrero Munoz was sentenced to only 10 months house arrest due to her lesser role in managing the fraudulent agencies, Bélanger said. Investigators discovered $82,000 in cash and an additional $80,000 in two bank accounts — of which she is allowed to keep 45 per cent. "Part of their business was legitimate, so it's not necessarily all the money that was fraud money," the prosecutor said. Rodriguez Contreras, who pleaded guilty before trial, is to be sentenced in September. Bélanger said the prosecution was "satisfied" with the case ending in guilty pleas for all three accused. "It's a case that was significant in terms of fraud against the government but also [in the interest of] protecting workers, who, despite sometimes committing fraud themselves, remain vulnerable because they are newcomers and don't know much about their rights and even obligations," she said.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Greece closes down from 12pm to 5pm as Brit tourists given warning
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Brits heading to Greece amid a deepening heatwave in the southeast Europe region - here's all you need to know British holidaymakers in Greece may face disruptions as local authorities enforce compulsory work breaks due to a severe heatwave. Officials in central Greece and several islands have mandated outdoor manual labourers and food delivery workers to take a break from 12pm to 5pm on Monday, with temperatures soaring above 40C. The Labour Ministry of the country has also instructed employers to provide remote working options for their staff as health concerns escalate, associated with the extreme temperatures witnessed across the nation and broader southeastern Europe in recent weeks. The temporary regulations affected areas including Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, along with other regions on the mainland and southern Peloponnese peninsula. READ MORE: 'I'm a beauty writer - the new ghd curling wand gave me perfect waves in 15 mins' In addition to manual labourers and food delivery workers, couriers and shipyard employees were also directed to cease work between midday and 5pm to prevent heat-related illnesses. The escalating heatwave conditions observed across the country and continent over the past month also led to the closure of Greece's Acropolis for several hours on Tuesday afternoon. The historic site, one of Greece's most frequented tourist destinations, was closed to visitors from 10am to 2pm after temperatures in Athens reached approximately 38C, reports the Express. The Greek Meteorological Service has issued a warning that the heatwave conditions are likely to continue throughout the week, with cities including Athens in mainland Greece on high alert for wildfires, as gale-force winds are also predicted. Greece experienced its hottest winter and summer on record last year, and 2024 also marked the warmest year globally - with global temperatures rising 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. The current heatwave is anticipated to persist until Thursday - although officials have stated that this prolonged hot spell is not yet considered unusual for this time of year. The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel guidance for Brits travelling to Greece, alerting them to an elevated risk of wildfires. "There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season of April to October," the government body warned. "Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. "The situation can change quickly. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location."
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
DSI probes 'mass kickbacks'
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is intensifying its probe into a suspected money laundering operation involving kickbacks and fees illegally collected from Cambodian migrant workers seeking to renew their work permits. Authorities believe the scheme may be linked to senior officials in the neighbouring country and could be worth more than 450 million baht. The case reportedly involves payments of 2,500 baht per worker, allegedly demanded by private agencies facilitating online permit renewals, DSI spokesperson Pol Lt Col Woranan Srilam said yesterday. Workers were told their applications would not be processed unless the fee was paid, despite no such requirement under official Labour Ministry regulations, he said, adding the investigation began after numerous complaints from employers and migrant workers. On July 3, DSI officers searched four locations in Bangkok, including a recruitment agency in Khlong Sam Wa district. Officials seized documents, bank records, and digital evidence believed to show the movement of funds through mule accounts held by Thai and foreign nationals. According to DSI estimates, more than 180,000 of all 280,000 Cambodian workers in the country have renewed their work permits. If each was charged the 2,500-baht fee, the total amount collected could exceed 450 million baht, said Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, director-general of the DSI, who led the July 3 raids. If all 280,000 were subjected to the fee, the figure could approach 700 million baht. Some of the funds were allegedly transferred to high-ranking Cambodian officials, Pol Maj Yutthana said. Preliminary findings indicate that two to three Cambodian officials may be involved, as investigators have traced about 100 million baht in transfers from Thai accounts to those linked to these officials, he added. However, the DSI is still collecting full transaction records from various banks, and the total amount is expected to be even higher, he noted. Investigators have also found some of the money was later returned to Thai individuals or companies, suggesting an attempt to conceal the financial trail, he said, adding the DSI was analysing bank statements and transaction records to confirm these links. Authorities are also exploring whether the scheme fits the legal definition of a criminal organisation under Thai law. If so, participants could face charges related to organised crime and money laundering, said Pol Maj Yutthana.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Access to Greek icon restricted as temperatures soar
Greece 's Acropolis in Athens is to temporarily close during peak afternoon hours due to extreme heat. The closure, from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm, aims to protect visitors and workers from temperatures expected to reach 42C across the country. The Labour Ministry has mandated work breaks for outdoor manual labour and food delivery services in areas where temperatures exceed 40C. Employers have also been advised to offer remote work options where possible. The heatwave is forecast to continue until Thursday.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greece closes top tourist attraction as heatwave scorches country
The Acropolis in Athens to close temporarily due to heatwave, Greek officials have said. Greece's culture ministry on Tuesday ordered a partial closure of the Acropolis, the country's top monument, to protect visitors amid heatwave conditions. Temperatures in the country are expected to reach 42 Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, with a maximum of 38 Celsius in Athens The ministry in a statement said the site would be closed from 1:00 to 5:00 pm (1000 to 1400 GMT) "for the safety of workers and visitors, owing to high temperatures." The news comes after authorities in Greece imposed mandatory work breaks in parts of the country where temperatures are expected to exceed 40C, with the heatwave forecast to last until Thursday. The Labour Ministry ordered the work stoppage, from midday to 5pm, for outdoor manual labour and food delivery services, primarily in central Greece and on several islands. Employers were also asked to offer remote work options. No emergency measures were implemented in Athens, and the current hot spell - following sweltering temperatures across Europe - is not considered unusual. Greek authorities say they are taking long-term steps to address the effects of climate change, including the deployment this summer of a record number of firefighters.
