In 2002, the pilot project for Hiring Foreign Workers in Occupations that Require Lower Levels of Formal Training was introduced.
Rather, an informal Filipino community network, as well as the Philippine government's labour export strategy facilitates and regulates the continuous migratory flows between the two countries.
[24] Furthermore, the candidate will also have to successfully meet the eligibility requirements for their country or territory of citizenship as well as of the specific pool that they are applying for.
Those holding a refugee travel document that has been issued by a country with a youth mobility agreement with Canada are not eligible to participate in the IEC program.
Apart from their temporary status, TFWs have the same employment rights as Canadian workers, and can phone a free 1-800 number for help.
[27] Criticism surrounding temporary residents of Canada has been contentious and subjective topic in the Canadian government and the public.
[30] In January 2014, Employment Minister Jason Kenney pledged a second round of reforms citing employee frustration.
[31] In April, issues with the program came under scrutiny by CBC relating to the procurement of temporary foreign unskilled labour by McDonald's Canada.
[34] Several economists have said temporary foreign workers and international students increasingly form the backbone of low-wage labour.
[40] CBC also reported that a Chinese company that owns a mine in British Columbia was attempting to import workers from China.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture reportedly estimated that Canada was in need of 30,000 seasonal and longer-term farm workers.
[44] In December 2014, CBC reported that Microsoft Canada obtained an exemption from the federal government that will allow the company to bring in an unspecified number of TFW to British Columbia.
There are little provincial employment standards regarding the recruitment and monitoring of the LCP, which leaves migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation.
What sets the LCP apart from the TFWP is that applicants are required to have a minimum secondary school education as well as domestic service training.
Research has even found that a large number of those applying through the LCP program are overqualified and have post-secondary education, and training as registered practitioners and nurses from their origin countries.
[47] However, due to the live-in requirement and the length of the LCP contract, deskilling occurs, wherein educational qualifications and training once held by immigrants prior to entering the program are not utilized or developed.
This leads to downward occupational mobility as re-entry into the labour market with a skilled position becomes difficult upon the end of the contract, and once permanent residency is achieved.
[46] In 2017, the Toronto Star conducted an investigation that revealed a large number of cases of incorrect accommodation, lack of access to medical care, violence and abuse.
[51] Obokata's report found many instances of debt bondage, wage theft, lack of personal protective equipment, abuse, and sexual misconduct.