2 hotel owners charged with labour trafficking

Two hotel owners in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie have been charged in connection with a labour trafficking case involving migrant workers, following a five-month investigation by the Manitoba RCMP Human Trafficking Unit (HTU).

The investigation began on Feb. 9, when officers from the Portage la Prairie Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment responded to a disturbance at a local hotel. During the incident, two female employees raised concerns about possible labour trafficking. As the investigation progressed, police identified two additional victims employed at the same establishment.

According to the Manitoba RCMP, all four individuals had been recruited from abroad with promises of legal employment, fair wages, and affordable living conditions through Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) agreements. However, investigators found that the workers were subjected to exploitative conditions, including 15-hour workdays and wages significantly below the legal minimum. Officers also reported the use of threats, intimidation, and the withholding of identification documents to control the workers.

Although LMIA agreements were eventually provided for three of the victims, one worker remained undocumented, increasing their vulnerability.

On June 12, RCMP arrested 62-year-old Jai Inder Sandhu, a co-owner of the hotel. He has been charged with four counts of trafficking in persons, material benefit from trafficking, withholding or destroying documents, additional trafficking-related offences, and two counts of uttering threats.

His spouse, 48-year-old Satbir Sandhu, also a hotel owner, faces four counts of trafficking in persons and one charge of material benefit from trafficking.

“Our goal from the outset was to help these victims of labour trafficking. They all came to Canada in good faith, believing they were going to work legally and be protected. Instead, they were threatened and forced to work for very little pay,” said Sgt. Cathy Farrell of the Manitoba RCMP Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit. “We remain committed to helping these victims and all others within the province who are being trafficked.”

Previously, two Canadian citizens along with three Mexican nationals were arrested for their involvement in an international trafficking ring north of Toronto in Ontario.

What is labour trafficking?

The Manitoba RCMP explains that labour trafficking is a form of human trafficking and involves recruiting, moving, or holding victims to coerce them into doing any kind of work.

“Migrant workers, newcomers, and vulnerable persons are at risk to these types of traffickers,” the RCMP said.

The force reminds companies and workers of the following:

• Employers should never threaten you with violence, arrest, or deportation
• Employers do not have the right to ask for your pay or a portion of your promised wages
• Employers should never control who you speak with
• Employer-provided housing should be safe and sanitary
• Employers should not take and keep your personal identification documents

The Manitoba RCMP also urges anyone who believes they are being trafficked—or is concerned about someone they know, or a workplace suspected of labour trafficking—to contact their local police service.

The police also shares these community resources for those not comfortable calling the police:

• Joy Smith Foundation - Works to provide access to information so that every Canadian man, woman and child is educated and empowered to stay safe from manipulation, force, or abuse of power designed to lure and exploit them in the sex trade or forced labour.
  • (204) 691-2455
  • [email protected]
  • www.joysmithfoundation.com
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7 and Confidential
  • Helps connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services, as well as receive tips from the public.
    1-833-900-1010
• The Salvation Army Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking - Committed to serving and supporting people with lived experience, their family and friends. Programs range from outreach, emergency housing, short and long-term housing, live-in rehabilitation services, employment training, peer support, drop-in centres, and case management.
  • Email for Prairie Region: [email protected]
  • Phone: 204 949-2100
  • Web Site: www.salvationist.ca/trafficking
• Crime Stoppers – Anonymous and Confidential - A cooperative program between the local media, citizens, and the police designed to involve the public in the fight against crime.
  • 204-786-8477 or Toll-Free: 1-800-222-8477

Previously, the RCMP charged two individuals for withholding the travel documents of workers who were recruited from abroad and then put in poor employment conditions once they got into the country.