Protection of temporary foreign workers: the case of Filipinos in Canada

Abstract

Temporary foreign workers have been employed – or simply used – throughout history. Their plights have gained some attention across the globe in recent decades. Canada as a major receiving country of these workers and the Philippines as a prolific sending country of workers are selected as case studies to examine whether measures taken internationally, nationally and locally are adequate to protect these workers, especially those in low-skilled occupations. Based on prior research on the workers’ well-being, the answer is no in at least five areas: recruitment, matching of qualifications, abuse, housing, and family separation. Suggestions are made to address these specific areas. In addition, it is argued that, in order to protect the workers, civil society should also be involved and expanded rights should be given to the workers.

NoBodies

“…The labour that supports local fruit and vegetable production in Ontario, Canada, is enabled by the transnational mobility of migrant agricultural workers who cross national borders through two programs: the agricultural stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). The TFWP brings workers from around the world, typically through labour recruiters, to participate in various employment fields and at a range of job statuses in Canada, including the ostensibly low-skilled agricultural stream (see Lu 2020). Through bilaterally administered contracts, the SAWP brings workers from the English-speaking Caribbean -primarily Jamaica -and Mexico.…”