Statement on the alleged violations of the TFW Program

The following is a statement from Philippine Consul General to Vancouver Mr. Neil Frank Ferrer issued April 24, 2014.

Officials of the Philippine Consulate General Vancouver: from right: Consul Melanie Rita B. Diano, Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Consul Anthony Achilles L. Mandap, and Ms. Josephine A. Nacisvalencia (Cultural & Information Officer). Photo courtesy of Vancouver PCG

We view with great concern this controversy, which, unfortunately, has unfairly cast a bad light on our hardworking Filipino temporary workers.

To be perfectly accurate, this issue is not about temporary workers per se, and much less about Filipino TFWs alone. It is about a very small number of employers suspected of violating the TFW program.

The TFW program has been a mechanism which qualified Canadian employers have used to recruit and bring in qualified foreign workers to occupations with labor shortages.

Filipino TFWs come in where they are needed, where the local workforce is inadequate or unavailable, and only after all the requirements for hiring temporary foreign workers have been complied with.

Filipino workers abide by Canada’s immigration and labour regulations.

In connection with reports concerning Filipino temporary workers at McDonald’s in Victoria, BC, we have spoken to the McDonald’s management on the issue. We have been informed that these developments will not have any impact on the employment status of the foreign workers in their system.

We are closely monitoring developments on this issue and will extend every necessary assistance to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino workers.

NEIL FRANK FERRER
Consul General of the Philippines
Vancouver, BC