Although the Temporary Foreign Workers Program predates the ascension to power of the Harper regime, there is mounting evidence that the abuses occurring under the program, none of which I am aware predate 2006, have been nurtured by the current cabal that consistently elevates the interests of business over the well being of citizens.
The latest example, as reported by CBC, comes from Saskatchewan where, in March, Sandy Nelson, who worked at Brothers Classic Grill and Pizza [previously called El Rancho] in Weyburn, Sask., for 28 years, along with her her co-workers, received the following letter:
"Due to changes in operations we are currently discharging all of our staff".
Some of them were subsequently hired back, including two waitresses who are temporary foreign workers.
But Nelson was permanently dismissed.
And Nelson was not the only victim of a program gone awry. Shaunna Jennison-Yung worked for the restaurant for 14 years before meeting the same fate:
The jobs they have aren't jobs that nobody wanted. We wanted them," Jennison-Yung explained.
She said to make matters worse, as a supervisor, she was unwittingly training her replacements.
"It's hurtful to be put aside and have people that you trained to do your job now doing your job. It's heartbreaking is what it is."
Predictably, the owners of Brothers Classic Grill and Pizza uttered the standard evasions and platitudes in response to CBC inquiries:
"All obligations to any employee are taken seriously. This includes the protection of personal information."
Additionally, they offered that "employees are a valuable asset to any business."
So valuable, apparently, that they are fungible commodities to be disposed of as the owners' agenda sees fit.
UPDATE: As occurred after a recent story emerged of Canadians suffering under the TFWP at three McDonalds's outlets in Victoria, the federal government is reacting with
Employment Minister Jason Kenney has asked his department to investigate Brothers Classic Grill and Pizza in Weyburn, Sask., a spokeswoman for the minister said Monday.
The spokeswoman added:
“Our government will not tolerate any abuse of the temporary foreign worker program. Our message to employers is clear and unequivocal — Canadians must always be first in line for available jobs.”
In an expedient moment of high dudgeon, the government warns of “serious criminal sanctions,” including fines and jail time, if employers lie on their applications about their efforts to hire Canadians.
May I make so bold as to suggest that the Harper regime's interest in this case will last about as long as the media's interest in it does?
P.S. Be sure to check out Montreal Simon's excoriating post on this topic.
If Canadians are concerned about the temporary foreign worker program, they should stop patronizing such restaurants. I always think that when an employer abuses the employees, the customers aren't far behind.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, ffd, and I think it is important to spread the word about abuses by any means at our disposal when they occur.
DeleteRemember how outraged people were about wage and price controls? Now we just have wage controls.
ReplyDeleteI do remember that time, and your cutting comment is spot-on, 131220.
DeleteI have no idea what labour standards exist in Saskatchewan. Here in La Belle Province, those waitresses would have strong cases to take before La Commission des Normes de Travail. It is clear in our labour laws that a worker, particularly a veteran worker such as those waitresses are let go, it would have to be under some severe disciplinary measures, which, to date, there is no evidence of. Or, the positions were abolished. Also, if the need occurred again, they would have to be called back first.
ReplyDeleteScary that Saskatchewan or any other province for that matter, would not even have some board where complaints can be lodged by workers who were unjustly treated by their employers. Perhaps Saskatchewan's working class should start mobilizing and demanding for labour standards.
Not to mention, for the love of god, stop electing folks like Wall and Harper to office!! I've noticed in Saskatchewan that only 1 seat is non-conservative and the province gave a resounding increased majority to WAll their last provincical election. Just sayin' ...
If those 2 women were unionized, this crap would never have been able to fly.
The TFW program must be scrapped in its' entirety and as Conservaitves love to preach but not practice, allow the market to go its' way in this case. Simply put, if there were no TFWs, we should get a more accurate picture of the labour market and if there really is a labour shortage, then it's up to employers to play ball to entice workers to work for them -- raise wages, offer benefits, etc. Basic Economics 101: Law of supply and demand: Wages should skyrocket if there was really that much of a labour shortage.
There are no labour shortages--this has been debunked not long ago in a series of articles before Flaherty's death. I compiled this awhile ago at my place: http://sistersagesmusings.ca/2014/03/29/jason-kenney-gets-his-job-data-from-kijiji-myths-regarding-labour-skills-shortages-debunked/
Thanks for your comments and the link, CK. Strange, isn't it, how the right always preaches the virtues of free market forces, but works regularly with their political handmaidens to undermine those forces.
DeleteSadly, the abuse of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program is just one avenue by which the corporate agenda undermines people's rights. Another example that I wrote about some time ago was Richtree Market restaurant in the Toronto Eaton Centre, which fired all of its unionized employees, closed for a short time, then reopened with, you guessed it, a much lower pay scale of its employees. As far as I know, nothing could be done in this case either, although we are supposed to have labour standards and protection in Ontario: http://politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.ca/2013/09/a-restaurant-to-avoid.html
Saskatchewan is run by the Saskatchewan party, somewhat further to the right than the old Reformers. There will be no protection offered to these workers from the provincial side,
DeleteThe Juggernaut of Capital continues, Lorne.
ReplyDeleteUnhindered and seemingly unregulated by this regime, Owen.
Deleteto the dismissed workers: did you vote for in the last provincial or federal election. If you did, who did you vote for? Ask yourself these questions. You may have contributed to the problem you are now having.
ReplyDeletethe temporary worker program is being used by employers to get rid of Canadian workers who actually have rights and can exercise them without fear of being removed from canada. The use of temporary foreign workers is simply being publicized these days. Its been alive and well in B.C. since early 2000s. when the lieberal government of gordon campbell had the sky train extended, the tilers were brought into canada from eastern europe and central america. some central american workers were paid less than min. wage. those from eastern europe, just over min. wage. no jobs for canadians. the tiling they were doing wasn't brain surgery. any number of canadians could and would have done the work. However Canadians want an 8 hr. day and to be paid for overtime. they also insist on being dealt with, with respect and know how to find a WCB office if there are health and safety standard violations. That is why employers want temporary foreign workers, they are cheap, have no rights and will do as they are told, regardless of what the law says. what the employers don't realize, is that as they impoverish Canadians, they will not have any money to spend with in their communities. They will also result in an increase in taxes as more apply for welfare.
this has no good ending for Canadians unless they force the federal Conservatives to end the program and force their provincial governments to take a positions on the whole sorry mess.
Thanks for setting the record straight here, e.a.f. I was not aware that the abuses predate the Harper regime. As well, your observations as to why the program is exploited by employers demonstrate once again the contempt that many have for those pesky details like worker protection, overtime, etc. that so hamper these would-be masters and mistresses of the universe.
DeleteLorne, it is a sad state of affairs. What happened to human rights? What next? Legalizing slavery? The situation might have existed prior to Harper regime but it is becoming worse under Harper rule.
ReplyDeleteUntil the public can finally break through the propaganda so relentlessly churned out by the regime, LD, I fear even greater disregard for the average person is to come.
DeleteIt's already legalized slavery. In many cases these workers are housed 8-10 to a house conveniently owned by the employer, who charges exorbitant rent to each person. This means that they essentially get free labour, as wages are recovered by charging excessive rent.
DeleteSomething quite similar to what you describe here, double nickel, was uncovered, again by the CBC, in Edmonton earlier this month. In fact the 'temporary' foreign workers, from Belize, called it 'slavery': http://politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.ca/2014/04/the-house-that-ronald-built.html
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