Abstract
Migrant precariousness is a growing global trend that calls for effective policies to attend to the rights and well-being of migrant workers in destination countries. The experience of migrant workers is highly structured by the policies and systems in destination countries. In Canada, policy changes have affected the experiences of migrants. We sought to examine the impact of changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in 2015 on migrants in Alberta, one of Canada’s western provinces. Using a transnational theoretical perspective embedded within a critical social paradigm and a focus group method, we gathered data from thirty-five temporary foreign workers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed with the aid of NVivo 10 qualitative data analysis software. The findings of our study reveal that the changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Canada in 2015 restricted the rights of these workers, intensified exploitation, and led to mental health strain for temporary foreign workers and their families. To attend to the marginal status of migrant workers, there is a need to broaden pathways to permanent resident status for low-wage temporary foreign workers in destination countries.
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Notes
While the TFW program was established as a short-term solution to labour market needs, employers often recruit workers on a long-term basis (Hennebry 2012).
In 2017, the Live-in Caregiver Program was converted to the Canadian Caregiver Program with the elimination of the live-in requirement.
This four-year limitation was revoked in December 2016. Temporary foreign workers no longer have limitations on the length of time they can remain in Canada.
The “four in four out” rule was eliminated in December 2016 by the Canadian Liberal Government. Temporary foreign workers no longer have restrictions on the length of time they can remain in Canada.
On December 15, 2018, the federal government announced the intention to provide open work permits in cases of abuse or possible abuse.
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Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the contributions of the following community partners and researchers: Poushali Mitra (Edmonton Temporary Foreign Worker Support Coalition), Marco Luciano (Migrante Alberta), Ethel Tungohan (York University), Nicola Piper (University of Sydney), and Yessy Byl (Edmonton Temporary Foreign Worker Support Coalition).
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This work was supported by the Kule Institute for Advanced Studies Research Team Grant at the University of Alberta.
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Salami, B., Hervieux, E., Dorow, S. et al. Intensified Exploitation and Mental Stress as Impacts of Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Alberta, Canada. Glob Soc Welf 7, 57–67 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-019-00164-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-019-00164-1