How an immigrant association helped a group of temporary foreign workers on P.E.I.
CBC
This is part two in a three-part series about a group of temporary foreign workers with a P.E.I. farm company. Part 1: Temporary foreign workers rescued from abusive situation on P.E.I. farm
Nine temporary foreign workers who were granted open work permits this spring received assistance from VietPEI, the association representing Vietnamese people on Prince Edward Island.
The workers agreed to have their stories told only if their names and the name of the farm were not shared. They remain concerned about retaliation against their families in their home countries by the recruiting agent in Vietnam, as well as repercussions for the farm's remaining workers.
VietPEI president Truong-Chien Ly said he is supportive of the temporary foreign worker program, and it looked like the workers in this case would be well looked after.
"It seemed very good for worker," Ly said of the initial offer of jobs on Prince Edward Island. "But when they come here, it's not like that."
Ly said the farm did not pay for everything they promised, and the work offered to the newcomers was "very short term."
The stories the workers told him were disturbing, involving contractual obligations regarding available work that were not met, and program rules regarding accommodation and transportation ignored. The workers were left struggling to find the money to survive — in at least one case, by collecting discarded bottles to cash in for the deposit money.
Ly said he didn't know what he could do about it, but he knew something had to be done.
"Life is a problem, always has problems. But any problem will have some solution," said Ly.
"We try to work together to make the right thing, to help others do the right thing."
Ly first turned to the provincial government. While the program for temporary foreign workers is a federal responsibility, Ly said provincial officials were very helpful.
They directed him to the federal government's open work permit program.
Introduced in 2019, that program releases temporary foreign workers who find themselves in an abusive situation from their obligations to their sponsoring employer. It allows them to seek work for any employer anywhere in Canada.
The provincial officials also suggested the Immigrant and Refugee Services Association of P.E.I. might be able to help with the lengthy application forms. IRSA referred Ly to the Cooper Institute, where the job fell to Eliza MacLauchlan.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
After lively discussion from Hamilton city councillors on Wednesday about the pros and cons of online voting, they decided it won't be used in upcoming elections.
Police say a woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision Thursday afternoon in the area of Tecumseh Road East and Princess Avenue in Windsor.
The provincial government is expanding Alberta's busiest highway, but some are worried wetlands near Red Deer will be lost to make way for the widened route.
The federal government has launched its newly-revised Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, a document that aims to address the region's economic challenges and opportunities over the next five years.
A small black bear has been spotted in Erin, Ont., prompting a warning from police.
An administrator at P.E.I.'s largest hospital says staff have been able to keep up with the surge of tourists who need to seek medical care after arriving on the Island, despite longtime strains on the health-care system.
The Government of Yukon is seeking approval to repair damage on the Teslin River Bridge near Johnsons Crossing.
Pierre Poilievre was feeling dejected and disappointed after the stinging federal election loss in April, sources close to the Conservative leader said, and he dialed back his public appearances for the better part of two months to reassess his strategy and regroup.
Janie Mackenzie was asleep in her trailer when she awoke to the sound of her dog barking, a telltale sign her two young step-grandchildren were out playing on a swingset in the backyard.
Every time Prashant Vashista thinks of BLS International — the sole company sanctioned by the Indian consulate to handle services like visas and passport renewals in Canada — his mind goes back two years to his mother's death.
Andrew Harvey never expected the train crossing he goes through on his daily commute to work in St. Thomas would cause $1,000 worth of damages to the front of his car.
Citing safety concerns, Premier Tim Houston says his government will overturn Halifax council's decision on a local bike lane, but some councillors and advocates say the move is likely about setting the stage for strong mayor powers.
A day after the Department of Social Development agreed to let certain Horizon Health hospital patients jump the line to get into nursing homes, Vitalité is asking for the same for patients in Bathurst.