Foreign workers in Montreal, previously employed by the international catering company Newrest, are voicing strong demands for the Canadian federal government to enhance their protection. This call to action was emphasized during a three-day protest outside the Québec office of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on St-Jacques Street, concluding on Wednesday. The protesters, led by the Immigrant Workers’ Centre (IWC), are contesting the IRCC’s alleged retraction of an agreement to expedite their applications for temporary residency.
Key Highlights:
- The workers claim that IRCC withdrew from a prior agreement to fast-track their temporary residence permits.
- Ryan Faulkner of the IWC expressed concerns over the new procedures, which remain unclear, and the potential risk of deportation faced by these workers due to their current uncertain legal status.
- The group alleges misconduct by the recruitment agency, claiming workers were promised work permits post a probationary period, a promise unfulfilled for almost two years.
- A class-action lawsuit is being considered against the recruiter and Newrest. Meanwhile, the workers urge the government to issue work permits to 93 individuals urgently, as they face pressing family responsibilities.
- IRCC has withheld comments due to privacy laws, and Newrest denies hiring individuals without work permits. The recruitment agency involved has not responded to these allegations.
The article underscores the plight of foreign workers in Canada seeking governmental intervention for their rights and security amidst legal and bureaucratic challenges.