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LABOUR: Alberta government increases protection for temporary foreign workers
        (AlbertaIndex, December 19, Wednesday) --- The Alberta government said it has set up two special advisory offices for temporary foreign workers and established a team of inspectors to help ensure they are being treated fairly in their workplaces.
        The advisory offices in Edmonton and Calgary, the first of their kind in Canada, will provide one-stop access to information and services for temporary workers. This includes help resolving employment standards or occupational health and safety issues, and other support.

Each office has two advisors. In addition, eight experienced employment standards officers - four in Edmonton and four in Calgary - have been appointed to investigate complaints from temporary foreign workers, as well as carry out inspections of companies that employ them.

These inspections will ensure foreign workers receive the wages, overtime, general holiday and vacation pay to which they are entitled.

Concerns that fall outside employment standards and workplace safety - such as housing issues and illegal recruitment fees - will be referred to and followed up by the appropriate authorities.

“Temporary foreign workers are helping to fill a critical need in our province. It is essential that they are treated fairly,” said Iris Evans, Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry.

“While these workers are protected by the same laws as other Alberta workers, they may be more vulnerable to exploitation. They may, for example, be unfamiliar with Alberta law. The steps we are taking today will allow us to be more proactive in our enforcement activities and will ensure these workers have somewhere to go when they need help.”

The ministry said non-compliance with employment standards could result in orders, audits and/or prosecutions. The majority of employers do comply with the law. Where there are contraventions, most employers tend to work with our officers to correct the situation.

Education is a key component of the program. Employers and employees will be offered the opportunity to participate in an employment standards workshop.

The advisory offices and inspectors will cost $1 million a year to operate. An additional $700,000 will be invested to promote these new services to temporary foreign workers and their employers.

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