“International Migrant Day Statement: Unifor Demands Equal Rights and Protections for all Workers”

December 18TH marks UN International Migrants Day, a day where we recognize not only the challenges faced by migrants around the world, but the vital contributions they make every day…

Across our union, we welcome migrant workers as our members and co-workers…

However, rampant migrant exploitation at the hands of some employers, continues to characterize the migrant worker experience for many in Canada.

Failures at the federal policy level are largely contributing to this…

Our migrant worker programs have also been subject to international scrutiny. Earlier this year, a UN special rapporteur described Canada’s temporary foreign worker program as a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery”…

The increasing complexity of Canada’s immigration system, coupled by delays and backlogs, is resulting in many migrants losing their legal status in Canada and ending up as undocumented, leaving them further vulnerable to abuse by employers, recruiters and landlords…

A united labour movement includes ensuring that all workers, regardless of their status, have equal rights and protections and we must continue our collective fight to ensure that all workers can live with respect, dignity and safety.