A controversial new policy by the federal government will allow employers to pay 15 per cent less to migrant workers than to Canadians. The Workers’ Action Centre participated in country-wide actions yesterday to oppose this change, which like the proposed EI changes, will drive down wages for all workers—while allowing some to be paid less simply because of their immigration status and country of origin.
Simultaneous actions to oppose these fundamental changes to work in Canada took place outside MP offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Kitchener-Waterloo and London.
WAC member Senthil outlined his experience of the temporary worker program in a
May 24, 2012 Toronto Star article. Senthil was promised $15.00 per hour when he came to Canada to work as a cook, but was paid less than minimum wage. “With this policy, employers are getting a signal from the government that they can exploit migrant workers all they want without consequences” says Senthil.