I am primarily here today to advise that I've been dealing with temporary foreign workers in the program since 2004. My focus and representations to you are on some of the recurring problems we see. So I'm basically speaking from the trenches, because I deal with these people on a daily basis.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the influx of temporary foreign workers is being driven by employers, particularly in the province of Alberta, notwithstanding the fact that numerous Canadians and landed immigrants--shall we say, Canadian residents in Alberta--are unemployed. Employers still maintain there is a labour shortage and therefore strive to maximize their production through the lowest common denominator: cheap labour.
For example, in Calgary within the last three weeks, Gienow Windows and Doors laid off 22 of its highest-paid workers on the basis that there was a work shortage. Ironically, that same company is bringing in 54 Mexican workers at a lower rate of pay. The LMO they applied for had to be in place prior to this layoff, but they still pursued the LMO at the expense of already working Canadians.
This is particularly noticeable with employers ignoring those guidelines established by HRDC, jumping on the cheap labour band wagon, requesting accelerated LMOs, and endeavouring to bypass all stakeholders, including unions. The process the government has in place is here and presumably will not go away, so it is now necessary to revamp, re-establish, and reorganize the process, given the ever-increasing number of abuses, infractions, and outright human rights violations perpetrated by large and small companies alike. We have many examples in the UFCW of inappropriate behaviour by employers, so-called labour brokers, and, ironically, HRDC itself.
Dealing with important issues, I would bring to the attention of the committee brokers or so-called brokers. Canada has initiated a new industry of third-party recruiters answering to no one. These brokers are not interested in the well-being of the workers; they are interested in lining their pockets with dollars from the unfortunate in other countries, dollars being their focus.
For example, one such company is Golden Horizon. It is sanctioned by the Alberta government, endorsed by the Alberta government, and blatantly acting illegally. One hundred and ninety-five workers from the Philippines were each charged between $3,000 and $5,000, supposedly for fees over and above those paid out by companies and/or the government. They have found a way around the system and continue to do so.
Although the Alberta government has been advised, Golden Horizon remains endorsed. Many questions need to be answered. This company should be held accountable, if not boycotted, until answers are received. I am talking about real answers, not wishy-washy answers from Golden Horizon itself.
The 195 Filipino workers are prepared to lay witness to the act of labour trafficking. This is just one example of many openly ignored by the system and those supposedly overseeing it.
Misinformation provided by large companies is a primary concern. Workers in Latin America are told they will earn $15 an hour when the actual wage is $11.08 per hour. They are told they are going to Lethbridge and then sent to Edmonton. I have work permits issued by the federal government as proof. The workers are not informed of taxes, CPP, EI, or the cost of living. In essence, they are not provided with the correct information to make an informed decision. They have basically been shown a carrot.
The regulation or licensing of these brokers and more open submissions to HRDC by employers should be required to substantiate a request for an LMO or ELMO and should include all information, particularly copies of the contract, in their native language. The fast-tracking of LMOs should cease.
Where there is union involvement there should be clear and open communication. Companies who enter into agreements with a union should be held to that agreement, as per the HRDC regulations. It is clearly stated that the unions are to be involved. If not, the employer should provide reasons that are open for discussion.
The undermining of union involvement can only lead to ill feeling and grave suspicion. Because of requests for ELMOs, HRSDC is ignoring the detail necessary to ensure union involvement and communication, giving employers the example to do likewise. Maple Leaf, a leading Canadian company and supposedly a leader in the process, has ignored the UFCW 1118 agreement and refused to address the numerous concerns raised by this union, particularly the issues presented here today. This flies in the face of HRSDC and Alberta government guidelines.
Notwithstanding the so-called efforts of employers, many new Canadian workers--and I call them “Canadian workers”, not “temporary foreign workers”--are being misled when it comes to housing, wages, and benefits. Seventeen temporary foreign workers were crammed into a side-by-side duplex. Second-hand, unsanitized bedding was provided and an outbreak of scabies resulted. Despite the infestation, these workers were told to remain at work in the food industry dealing with chicken. No information was given to their co-workers.
To this day, that employer has not complied with a union request to ensure this does not happen again. In fact, this company has refused to admit to the facts, hoping it will go away. The employer's focus was production at all costs. There was a lack of fundamental human rights. This can be corroborated through video evidence. The statement the company made when questioned was that it is a darn sight better than what they came from.
Edmonton has a tenancy law limiting a house to five unrelated adults. A bedroom must consist of a door and a window. This is being abused by employers. As recently as last week, seven individuals were residing in a house, and the open basement was considered a bedroom for both male and female.