Migrant Worker voices must be central to review of Foreign Worker Program

Open work permits, family reunification and permanent immigration status on landing for Seasonal Agricultural Workers, Caregivers and Temporary Foreign Workers remain priorities.

Canada—The Coalition for Migrant Worker Rights Canada (CMWRC), the representative alliance of migrant worker groups across the country, is responding to Minister Mihychuk’s statements in the mainstream media about forthcoming review of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program by calling for further details, including timelines, migrant worker involvement and scope of the review. Migrant worker advocates have been calling for Mobility, Voice and Equality for Migrant Workers, including open work permits; an end to discriminatory Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) regulations like the 4 in and 4 out rule; and permanent immigration status on landing.

“As a country, we need to honour and celebrate low-waged, and racialized migrant workers for feeding our families; taking care of children, the sick and the elderly; and doing backbreaking work to build our economy,” says Syed Hussan of the CMWRC. “Migrant worker voices must be central to the review to show Canadians the critical importance of migrant workers, and the need to ensure that they have full rights, and permanent immigration status just like everyone else who works here.”

Migrant worker rights groups are available for comment across Canada.

Pour le français

Enrique Llanes – Centre des travailleurs et travailleuses immigrant-e-s, 514-546-9382 – attetquebec@gmail.com

For impact on Agricultural Workers

Ontario – Chris Ramsaroop – Justicia for Migrant Workers / Harvesting Freedom Campaign – 1-647-834-493

For impacts on Caregivers

Vancouver – Natalie Drolet – West Coast Domestic Workers Association – 1-604-669-6452

For impacts on in Alberta

Edmonton – Marco Luciano – Migrante Canada – 1-780-966-5908

For impacts in Atlantic Canada

Charlottetown – Josie Baker – Cooper Institute-  1-902-315-270

For impacts in Prairies

Diwa Marcelino – Migrante Canada – 204-218-7100

For more on Coalition for Migrant Worker Rights Canada and Ontario

Toronto – Syed Hussan – Migrant Workers Alliance for Change – 1-416-453-3632