A new report from a United Nations special rapporteur has labeled Canada’s temporary foreign worker program as a “breeding ground” for modern slavery. The report, published after a visit to Canada last year, highlights significant concerns over the power imbalance that foreign workers face, which prevents them from fully exercising their rights.
The report criticizes the structure of the program, where workers’ immigration status is tied to a single employer through a closed work permit. This arrangement puts workers in a vulnerable position, as losing their job could lead to deportation. The report details various abuses that workers experience, including limited access to health care and, in some cases, being actively prevented by employers from seeking medical treatment.
The temporary foreign worker program has seen a sharp increase in permits, with an 88% rise from 2019 to 2023. However, the Canadian government has recently indicated plans to reduce the number of foreign workers in the country.
The findings of this report underscore the urgent need for reforms to protect the rights and well-being of foreign workers in Canada .