Canada to Impose Sanctions On Employers Hiring Nigerians and Others For Temporary Jobs

Canada to Impose Sanctions On Employers Hiring Nigerians and Others For Temporary Jobs

The Canadian government, through the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages,

Randy Boissonnault, has disclosed its plan to phase out certain time-limited measures within the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Programme Workforce Solutions Road Map.

This move signals an intention to implement more stringent requirements on employers seeking to hire Nigerians and other foreign nationals for temporary positions in Canada.

Boissonnault announced that effective May 1, 2024, Canada will implement changes to the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) validity period, reducing it to six months.

This adjustment will shorten the timeframe for foreigners to apply for work permits. Additionally, the country has decreased the cap for low-wage temporary foreign workers in select sectors from 30% to 20%.

Reports indicate that employers will be required to explore all available options, such as hiring asylum seekers with valid work permits, before pursuing an LMIA.

Boissonnault emphasized the crucial role of these workers in addressing short-term labor shortages, filling skill gaps, enhancing Canada’s competitiveness, and offering practical experience to foreign nationals.

Canada has mandated that employers reassess the wages of temporary foreign workers to align with prevailing wage rates specific to their occupation and work region.

The country remains committed to prioritizing job opportunities for Canadians while safeguarding the rights of temporary foreign workers.

These measures aim to reduce Canada’s dependency on temporary foreign workers and facilitate job vacancy fulfillment by supporting the Canadian workforce.