Latest news with #temporaryworkers
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Migrant worker calls proposed spike in housing cost payroll deduction 'wickedness'
OTTAWA — An Ontario migrant farm worker says there is "wickedness" in a federal government proposal that could allow employers to charge workers upwards of 30 per cent of their income for housing. The Migrant Rights Network shared with The Canadian Press a discussion paper from Employment and Social Development Canada. The document outlines possible regulations for a new temporary worker stream for agricultural and fish processing workers. The planned stream would include sector-specific work permits. That would allow temporary workers to work for any qualified employer in a specific field, instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. This new stream isn't expected to be active until 2027 at the earliest, says the discussion paper. The document sets out a range of possible housing deductions employers could charge for shelter. At the highest end of that range, the government is considering a deduction of 30 per cent of pre-tax income — about $1,000 per month, according to the discussion paper. A migrant worker from Jamaica — The Canadian Press has agreed not to name him, due to his fear of reprisal from his employer — said that if the highest level of deduction is implemented, his $600 after-tax weekly pay packet will be stretched even thinner. "That is wickedness. I am working for $17.23 per hour," he said. "It seems like they want the program to become harder because if I am working, and they're taking so much money from me, then I won't have anything to send back home to my family or buy food here in Canada just to survive." A statement from Employment and Social Development Canada, the agency that oversees the temporary worker program, said the department held "extensive consultation" on the agriculture and fish processing stream. That included talks with international partners, industry stakeholders and migrant worker support organizations such as the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, the department said. The "paper-based consultation" included discussion papers covering such topics as health care, employer-provided transportation, wages and deductions, the department said. That consultation process is now over and federal employment and immigration officials are reviewing the feedback. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation defines affordable housing as anything costing less than 30 per cent of a household's pre-tax income. The discussion paper says the lowest housing deduction being considered by the federal government is five per cent, which it estimates would cost workers about $180 monthly. The amount a migrant worker can be charged through a housing deduction depends on the kind of temporary work program they're in. Those in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program cannot be charged by their employer for housing. Workers with low-wage stream permits, such as those working for fish processors, can be charged up to 30 per cent of their earnings for employer-provided housing. Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said a 30 per cent housing deduction would be "a massive theft" of wages "without improvement in their lives." "It's incredibly hypocritical that it's being framed as improvements and a response to the United Nations calling Canada's temporary immigration system a breeding ground for exploitation and slavery," he said. Last year, the UN released a report saying Canada's temporary worker program is a "breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery" because it ties work permits to jobs. The report said this creates an institutionalized power imbalance because workers may be deported if they are fired and employers have "limited incentive to ensure decent working conditions." The migrant worker told The Canadian Press that he's been told he needs to keep working and stay in line because there are "10 more Jamaicans waiting for your job." "We don't really have a choice because if we did have a choice I'd be home with my family. The job situation in Jamaica is not really good. It's hard at the moment," he said. Hussan said the housing standards Ottawa cites in the discussion paper are inadequate and not enforceable. The discussion paper cites the need for "sufficient" ventilation and "adequate" plumbing. Hussan said this looks like a shift away from the federal government's 2020 proposal for housing regulations, which said migrant worker dwellings need to be able to maintain an indoor temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. The migrant worker who spoke to The Canadian Press said that he and his roommates often need to stay outside until 10 or 11 p.m. so their bunkhouse can cool down because it doesn't have air conditioning. "There is no A/C in the house and it is OK, it's legal for them. The bosses are not breaking any rules because at the start of the season, these houses are supposed to be inspected and passed by the relevant authorities so they are not breaking any rules," he said. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change said it wants to see migrant workers given permanent residency status so they're better able to stand up for their rights. The government's discussion paper talks about creating a sector-specific permit for the planned agriculture and fish processing stream. This would mean someone holding this type of permit could work for any qualifying employer instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. Hussan said this proposal still wouldn't provide labour mobility because the pool of employers that meet the program's criteria is small, and the rural areas where many seasonal workers live and work often have poor cell or internet coverage. "If you're working in New Brunswick, how do you find out that there's an employer in Ontario, or in B.C. or in Quebec who has an unfilled (Labour Market Impact Assessment), right?" Hussan said. "If you wanted labour mobility, you'd say, 'You can just work wherever you want.' Which is what you and I have, the ability to change jobs." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
CBC
30-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Migrant worker calls proposed spike in housing cost payroll deduction 'wickedness'
An Ontario migrant farm worker says there is "wickedness" in a federal government proposal that could allow employers to charge workers upwards of 30 per cent of their income for housing. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change shared with The Canadian Press a discussion paper from Employment and Social Development Canada. The document outlines possible regulations for a new temporary worker stream for agricultural and fish processing workers. The planned stream would include sector-specific work permits. That would allow temporary workers to work for any qualified employer in a specific field, instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. This new stream isn't expected to be active until 2027 at the earliest, according to the discussion paper. The discussion paper sets out a range of possible housing deductions employers could charge for shelter. At the highest end of that range, the government is considering a deduction of 30 per cent of pre-tax income — about $1,000 per month, according to the discussion paper. A migrant worker from Jamaica — The Canadian Press has agreed not to name him, due to his fear of reprisal from his employer — said that if the highest level of deduction is implemented, his $600 after-tax weekly pay packet will be stretched even thinner. "That is wickedness. I am working for $17.23 per hour," he said. "It seems like they want the program to become harder because if I am working, and they're taking so much money from me, then I won't have anything to send back home to my family or buy food here in Canada just to survive." A statement from Employment and Social Development Canada, the agency that oversees the temporary worker program, said they held "extensive consultation" on the agriculture and fish processing stream. This includes talks with international partners, industry stakeholders and migrant worker support organizations such as the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change. The "paper-based consultation" included these discussion papers, which cover topics like healthcare, employer-provided transportation, wages and deductions. That consultation process is now over, and federal employment and immigration officials are currently reviewing the feedback. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation defines affordable housing as anything costing less than 30 per cent of a household's pre-tax income. The discussion paper says the lowest housing deduction being considered by the federal government is five per cent, which it estimates would cost workers about $180 monthly. The amount a migrant worker can be charged for a housing deduction depends on the kind of temporary work program they're in. Those in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program cannot be charged by their employer for housing. Workers with low wage stream permits, such as those working for fish processors, can be charged up to 30 per cent of their earnings for employer-provided housing. Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said a 30 per cent housing deduction would be "a massive theft" of wages "without improvement in their lives." "It's incredibly hypocritical that it's being framed as improvements and a response to the United Nations calling Canada's temporary immigration system a breeding ground for exploitation and slavery," he said. Last year, the UN released a report saying Canada's temporary worker program is a "breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery" because it ties work permits to jobs. The report said this creates an institutionalized power imbalance because workers may be deported if they are fired and employers have "limited incentive to ensure decent working conditions." The Jamaican migrant worker said that he's been told he needs to keep working and stay in line because there are "10 more Jamaicans waiting for your job." "We don't really have a choice because if we did have a choice I'd be home with my family. The job situation in Jamaica is not really good. It's hard at the moment," he said. Hussan also said the housing standards Ottawa cites in the discussion paper are inadequate and not enforceable. The discussion paper cites the need for "sufficient" ventilation and "adequate" plumbing. Hussan said this looks like a shift from the federal government's 2020 proposal for housing regulations, which said migrant worker dwellings need to be able to maintain an indoor temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. The migrant worker who spoke to The Canadian Press said that he and his roommates often need to stay outside until 10 or 11 p.m. so their bunkhouse can cool down because it doesn't have air conditioning. "There is no A/C in the house and it is OK, it's legal for them. The bosses are not breaking any rules because at the start of the season, these houses are supposed to be inspected and passed by the relevant authorities so they are not breaking any rules," he said. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change said it wants to see migrant workers given permanent residency status so they're better able to stand up for their rights. The government's discussion paper talks about creating a sector-specific permit for the planned agriculture and fish processing stream. This would mean someone holding this type of permit could work for any qualifying employer instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. Hussan said this proposal still wouldn't provide labour mobility because the pool of employers that meet the program's criteria is small, and the rural areas where many seasonal workers live and work often have poor cell or internet coverage. "If you're working in New Brunswick, how do you find out that there's an employer in Ontario, or in B.C. or in Quebec who has an unfilled (Labour Market Impact Assessment), right?" Hussan said.
CTV News
30-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Migrant worker calls proposed spike in housing cost payroll deduction ‘wickedness'
OTTAWA — An Ontario migrant farm worker says there is 'wickedness' in a federal government proposal that could allow employers to charge workers upwards of 30 per cent of their income for housing. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change shared with The Canadian Press a discussion paper from Employment and Social Development Canada. The document outlines possible regulations for a new temporary worker stream for agricultural and fish processing workers. The planned stream would include sector-specific work permits. That would allow temporary workers to work for any qualified employer in a specific field, instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. This new stream isn't expected to be active until 2027 at the earliest, according to the discussion paper. The discussion paper sets out a range of possible housing deductions employers could charge for shelter. At the highest end of that range, the government is considering a deduction of 30 per cent of pre-tax income — about $1,000 per month, according to the discussion paper. A migrant worker from Jamaica — The Canadian Press has agreed not to name him, due to his fear of reprisal from his employer — said that if the highest level of deduction is implemented, his $600 after-tax weekly pay packet will be stretched even thinner. 'That is wickedness. I am working for $17.23 per hour,' he said. 'It seems like they want the program to become harder because if I am working, and they're taking so much money from me, then I won't have anything to send back home to my family or buy food here in Canada just to survive.' A statement from Employment and Social Development Canada, the agency that oversees the temporary worker program, said they held 'extensive consultation' on the agriculture and fish processing stream. This includes talks with international partners, industry stakeholders and migrant worker support organizations such as the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change. The 'paper-based consultation' included these discussion papers, which cover topics like healthcare, employer-provided transportation, wages and deductions. That consultation process is now over, and federal employment and immigration officials are currently reviewing the feedback. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation defines affordable housing as anything costing less than 30 per cent of a household's pre-tax income. The discussion paper says the lowest housing deduction being considered by the federal government is five per cent, which it estimates would cost workers about $180 monthly. The amount a migrant worker can be charged for a housing deduction depends on the kind of temporary work program they're in. Those in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program cannot be charged by their employer for housing. Workers with low wage stream permits, such as those working for fish processors, can be charged up to 30 per cent of their earnings for employer-provided housing. Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said a 30 per cent housing deduction would be 'a massive theft' of wages 'without improvement in their lives.' 'It's incredibly hypocritical that it's being framed as improvements and a response to the United Nations calling Canada's temporary immigration system a breeding ground for exploitation and slavery,' he said. Last year, the UN released a report saying Canada's temporary worker program is a 'breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery' because it ties work permits to jobs. The report said this creates an institutionalized power imbalance because workers may be deported if they are fired and employers have 'limited incentive to ensure decent working conditions.' The Jamaican migrant worker said that he's been told he needs to keep working and stay in line because there are '10 more Jamaicans waiting for your job.' 'We don't really have a choice because if we did have a choice I'd be home with my family. The job situation in Jamaica is not really good. It's hard at the moment,' he said. Hussan also said the housing standards Ottawa cites in the discussion paper are inadequate and not enforceable. The discussion paper cites the need for 'sufficient' ventilation and 'adequate' plumbing. Hussan said this looks like a shift from the federal government's 2020 proposal for housing regulations, which said migrant worker dwellings need to be able to maintain an indoor temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. The migrant worker who spoke to The Canadian Press said that he and his roommates often need to stay outside until 10 or 11 p.m. so their bunkhouse can cool down because it doesn't have air conditioning. 'There is no A/C in the house and it is OK, it's legal for them. The bosses are not breaking any rules because at the start of the season, these houses are supposed to be inspected and passed by the relevant authorities so they are not breaking any rules,' he said. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change said it wants to see migrant workers given permanent residency status so they're better able to stand up for their rights. The government's discussion paper talks about creating a sector-specific permit for the planned agriculture and fish processing stream. This would mean someone holding this type of permit could work for any qualifying employer instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. Hussan said this proposal still wouldn't provide labour mobility because the pool of employers that meet the program's criteria is small, and the rural areas where many seasonal workers live and work often have poor cell or internet coverage. 'If you're working in New Brunswick, how do you find out that there's an employer in Ontario, or in B.C. or in Quebec who has an unfilled (Labour Market Impact Assessment), right?' Hussan said. 'If you wanted labour mobility, you'd say, 'You can just work wherever you want.' Which is what you and I have, the ability to change jobs.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
Wall Street Journal
07-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Most Jobs Growth Came From Health Care, Hospitality, Home-Aide Roles
The lion's share of new jobs created in May came from just three sectors, according to the Labor Department's monthly employment report. Health care: 62,000 new jobs Social assistance: 16,000 new jobs Leisure and hospitality: 48,000 new jobs. Hiring meanwhile was broadly flat in most other industries, and federal government employment declined—it's down by 59,000 since January. Demand for temporary help workers dropped too last month, a sign companies are turning more cautious on hiring. Analysts noted that the narrow breadth of job gains in May suggests slowing employment in key cyclical sectors of the economy.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Atlantic Canada can lose workers under Carney's immigration target, says restaurant group
A restaurant industry group is sounding the alarm about how immigration cuts are affecting its members on P.E.I. and across Atlantic Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney, at his first press conference following the April 28 federal election, pledged to cap the total number of temporary workers and international students to less than five per cent of Canada's population by the end of 2027. Carney is sticking to the targets set by the Justin Trudeau government late last year. P.E.I.'s immigration targets were already slashed earlier this year, with the federal government reducing the Island's 2025 allocation under both the Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program by half. That would cut the number of newcomers the province can nominate for permanent residency in Canada by half, down to 1,025. That decision came after the province voluntarily reduced its own nominations last year, issuing just 1,590 out of its allocation of 2,050. Janick Cormier, Restaurants Canada's vice-president for Atlantic Canada, said these cuts will significantly impact the food service industry in the region, especially as the busy tourism season begins. "We've been tapping into foreign migrants to staff our restaurants across the Island, across Atlantic Canada frankly, to keep our doors open. So without access to foreign labour, or with an extremely reduced access in the case of P.E.I., we will have to make some difficult decisions," Cormier told CBC's Island Morning. "I can see restaurants opening later, closing earlier, closing entirely for certain days of the week, for example, to... try to keep their doors open, but without staff, it's hard to keep the same amount of service that we're used to." Demographic and pandemic effects Cormier said restaurants in the Atlantic region depend on foreign labour for two main reasons. The first is the impact of the pandemic, during which the industry saw a lot of instability due to repeated closures and capacity restrictions. "The employees who were in the industry when the pandemic hit, a lot of them found employment elsewhere because they needed steady income," she said. Then there's the region's demographic landscape. "In Atlantic Canada, our population is older. It's smaller. There's a reason people refer to our communities as retirement communities, but the people who live here still want to have access to all the services they're used to," she said. "To be able to have all of these services, we've been having to tap into foreign labour, bring people in to do these kinds of jobs, simply [because] our population is retiring and just no longer on the labour market." 'The human element' Cormier said the immigration cuts not only impact the industry but also affect the workers who suddenly find their path to permanent residency is no longer available. On P.E.I., both major immigration streams are essentially inaccessible to foreign workers in the restaurant industry. This year, the province has limited applications to the Atlantic Immigration Program to workers in just three priority sectors — health care, construction and manufacturing. And for the Provincial Nominee Program, people working in the service sector may not receive an invitation to apply, according to the province's website. Cormier said she's heard "heartbreaking" stories of immigrants working in the restaurant industry who, unable to find a permanent residency pathway, did not have their work permits renewed and have to leave Canada. "We talk a lot about statistics and numbers, and you know, Carney talks about five per cent, but that five per cent represents human beings," she said. "They came here thinking they're building their lives in this country, and the government just reverses course and they'd have to go back home. So it's pretty devastating, the human element to this."
