Stricter foreign worker rules in Canada raise deportation fears

DDM News

Canada has rolled out new restrictions in its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), sparking fresh anxiety among skilled foreign workers.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that many Nigerians, who form a significant portion of Canada’s temporary workforce, now face heightened risks of deportation.

The revised rules tighten hiring conditions for employers and impose fresh barriers for foreign jobseekers.

Employers hiring foreign talent for high-skilled jobs must now pay at least 20% above the median wage in their region.

This mandatory wage increase is intended to discourage companies from undercutting wages by relying heavily on migrant labour.

Furthermore, companies are now limited to staffing just 10% of their low-wage positions with foreign workers.

The new caps apply even to industries historically reliant on temporary foreign labour, such as agriculture, hospitality, and construction.

These sectors have voiced concern over the rising cost of labour and diminishing ability to retain foreign hires.

An additional 34,000 positions have also been reclassified from high-wage to low-wage status under the TFWP.

This reclassification exposes more foreign workers to tougher oversight and less favourable employment conditions.

Affected workers face reduced access to benefits, weaker job security, and lower chances of renewal when work permits expire.

For many Nigerians on temporary work permits, the new rules may result in sudden unemployment and deportation due to non-renewal.

Under the updated system, once a permit expires and the worker cannot find a new qualifying job, their stay becomes untenable.

This regulatory shift is already impacting employer decisions, with many opting not to renew contracts for fear of breaching new thresholds.

Small and medium businesses, in particular, report they are unable to cope with the combined pressure of wage increases and hiring limits.

As employers withdraw offers or avoid renewing contracts, foreign workers are left stranded without clear paths to maintain status.

This development marks a stark departure from Canada’s former reputation as a welcoming hub for global talent.

Critics have warned that these changes might discourage future applicants from seeking work opportunities in Canada.

Analysts say the country’s appeal as a top migration destination may suffer if skilled labourers no longer feel secure in their roles.

The hospitality and agricultural sectors are expected to bear the brunt of reduced seasonal and temporary hires.

Seasonal employment programs, especially in farming and food processing, rely heavily on low-wage temporary workers.

Now, with stricter caps in place, harvests and production cycles could be disrupted by labour shortages.

Travel and tourism industries also predict operational challenges due to reduced access to temporary service staff.

Some employers have suggested that the new rules could inadvertently encourage illegal employment to fill unavoidable labour gaps.

While the Canadian government defends the policy as necessary to prioritize its citizens for available jobs, many question its broader implications.

Officials maintain that the reforms are in line with national employment goals and reflect public sentiment on job protection.

However, advocacy groups say the policy fails to recognize the long-standing contributions of foreign workers to Canada’s economy.

Migrant worker organizations are calling for a more inclusive framework that balances citizen protection with worker rights.

They argue that the wage increases and hiring caps amount to indirect deterrents, not just labour protections.

Business owners echo these concerns, stating that rather than helping Canadians, the measures are hampering productivity and growth.

Some employers warned that jobs may remain vacant altogether if local workers are unwilling or unavailable to fill them.

The reforms come at a time when Canada’s population is aging and demand for labour in essential services remains high.

Critics also stress that without foreign labour, Canada’s ambitious immigration and economic targets may fall short.

A more balanced solution, they suggest, would involve improving the working conditions of all workers, domestic and foreign alike.

Instead of pushing workers out, the system should aim to integrate them more effectively and reward those filling critical gaps.

Many Nigerians now feel betrayed by a system they trusted, only to find themselves exposed to new layers of insecurity.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) has learned that several Nigerian community leaders in Canada are advising caution when applying under the TFWP.

Some legal professionals are already seeing a surge in requests for advice and appeals as permit holders face expiry without recourse.

Calls are growing for policy reform that reflects the realities of a modern global workforce and the mutual benefits of migration.

With Canada still in need of essential labour, finding this balance remains a challenge that policymakers must urgently address.

For now, the road ahead looks uncertain for thousands of foreign workers, and their dreams of building a future in Canada hang in the balance.

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