Seeking better protections from feds
Foreign-worker advocates are forming a coalition to help foreign workers who feel they are being mistreated by their bosses but are afraid to speak out.
A group of advocates, including labour lawyer Yessy Byl who is heading up the Alberta Federation of Labour's Temporary Foreign Worker Advocate Office, gathered in Edmonton to attend a conference hosted by the Canadian Council for Refugees.
Byl reported feeling overwhelmed by the number of calls she has received in her first month on the job from foreign workers who are afraid they will be sent home if they speak out about unfair labour practices.
The coalition of foreign-worker advocates plans to approach the federal departments responsible for foreign workers and lobby for changes to the laws to ensure all foreign workers are protected.
The coalition especially wants the government to ensure employers are keeping the promises they made to foreign workers.
Byl said that foreign workers have told her they are being paid much less than originally promised and others say employers are making illegal deductions from their paycheques.
A group of advocates, including labour lawyer Yessy Byl who is heading up the Alberta Federation of Labour's Temporary Foreign Worker Advocate Office, gathered in Edmonton to attend a conference hosted by the Canadian Council for Refugees.
Byl reported feeling overwhelmed by the number of calls she has received in her first month on the job from foreign workers who are afraid they will be sent home if they speak out about unfair labour practices.
The coalition of foreign-worker advocates plans to approach the federal departments responsible for foreign workers and lobby for changes to the laws to ensure all foreign workers are protected.
The coalition especially wants the government to ensure employers are keeping the promises they made to foreign workers.
Byl said that foreign workers have told her they are being paid much less than originally promised and others say employers are making illegal deductions from their paycheques.
