Are New Canadian Immigrants Protected By Universal Labor Laws?
Canadian immigrants represent a large number of low-wage workers, maybe too large. However, they are still granted the same rights and protections as all the other employees in Canada.
According to Canada’s Labour Code, permanent Canadian residents, Canadian citizens, temporary foreign workers, international students, and all employed people have a right to work in a safe environment and receive fair pay for their work.
Moreover, employers in Canada must provide their workers, including new Canadian immigrants, with decent health benefits, on-the-job training, and information about their rights. They must also offer a signed copy of the employment agreement.
Canadian employers must ensure their employees are not mistreated in any way. Mistreatment could take the form of :
- Forcing workers to perform dangerous jobs that are not included in their employment agreement.
- Coercing ill or injured employees to work.
- Pressurizing employees to work overtime when there is no such condition outlined in their employment agreement.
- Forcefully taking a worker’s passport or work permit.
- Changing an employee’s immigration status or intimidating them with deportation.
Reporting Employer Misconduct
Being terrified of the ramifications of losing their job or work permit may cause employees, particularly new Canadian immigrants, to refrain from reporting misconduct at the workplace.
However, all Canadian workers should know that there are provincial and territorial workplace health and safety offices all over Canada. Their job is to address workplace misconduct and will help if the employees report their problems.
Ontario is the province where most new Canadian immigrants settle down and find work. Employees in Ontario can report any pressing concerns to the Health and Safety Contact Centre easily by calling them.
