To stem the tide of workers leaving their jobs illegally, several organizations fighting for the rights of foreign workers are calling for an end to closed work permits, which bind them to their employers.
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While some migrants take the field to try to live the American dream, others are simply trying to flee living conditions deemed dangerous.
“This year we helped 32 foreign workers to quit their jobs. We see everything, from non-compliance with the law on labor standards, non-payment of public holidays, non-payment of vacation, we have psychological harassment, even sexual harassment. We think it is a form of modern slavery, ”said Véronique Tessier, regional coordinator of the Network to help migrant agricultural workers in Quebec.
The organization calls for the end of closed work permits. “When a worker arrives, he is only allowed to work for the employer who brought him in,” she explained.
This way of doing things, according to Ms. Tessier, would give employers too much power.
“The fear of denouncing is generalized among this workforce, because the ultimate consequence is to have returned to their country,” she said.
According to the Support Network for Migrant Agricultural Workers in Quebec, in the midst of a labor shortage, many workers are therefore choosing to leave their jobs illegally in order to find a job that offers better conditions. But deserting a job (even if it offers terrible living conditions) makes workers illegal citizens.
Discussions with the federal government are underway, and other avenues are being considered. “We are thinking of sectoral permits. That would allow the worker to stay in the agricultural industry, but to change employer if these rights are not respected, ”explained Ms. Tessier.
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