Behind Closed Doors

EXPOSING MIGRANT CARE WORKER EXPLOITATION DURING COVID- 19

​As many regions continue into the second wave of the pandemic, the conditions outlined in this report are reoccurring or worsening right now. The cumulative and cascading crises of COVID-19 demand an immediate response through policy changes that will ensure rights and protections for migrant care workers. The most crucial of these changes is full and permanent immigration status for all migrant care workers in Canada now, and full and permanent immigration status for all migrant care workers that arrive in the future. This will give migrants the ability to protect themselves against labour exploitation, ensure access to emergency income supports and universal healthcare, and reunite families. A fair society is only possible with equal rights for all, and equal rights for all are only possible if everyone in the country has the same immigration status. Further recommendations are outlined at the end of this report.

Table of Contents:

Who we are
Acknowledgements
Contact
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Stolen Hope: COVID-19 and the Cascade of Crises Experienced by Migrant Care Workers
Summary of Findings
SECTION 2: CANADIAN LAWS THAT CREATE MIGRANT CARE WORKER EXPLOITATION
Care Worker Immigration Programs in Summary
SECTION 3: EXPOSING THE EXPLOITATION OF MIGRANT CARE WORKERS DURING COVID-19
CHAPTER 1: STOLEN LABOUR: WORK AND INCOME DURING COVID-19

• Labour intensification
• Unpaid wages
• Difficulty enforcing rights
• Lost work and limited access to income supports
• Difficulty finding work during COVID-19

CHAPTER 2: STOLEN HOPE: DELAYS IN PERMANENT RESIDENCY AND APPLICATION PROCESSING

• Fear of not finishing 24 month work requirement
  
• Difficulty meeting language and educational requirements
  
• Difficulties and delays in permit processing
  

CHAPTER 3: FREEDOM DENIED

• Control over housing and movement
  
• Barred from public transportation
  

CHAPTER 4: UNSTABLE HOUSING IN A PANDEMIC
CHAPTER 5: STOLEN TIME: FAMILY SEPARATION AND IMPACT ON CHILDREN
CHAPTER 6: STOLEN HEALTH: HEALTH IMPACTS AND ACCESS TO SERVICES

• Lack of sick leave
  
• Difficulty accessing medical care
  

SECTION 4: RECOMMENDATIONS
The Change Migrant Care Workers Need Right Now!

• Full and Permanent Immigration Status for All & Landed Status Now
  
• Interim Measures to Ensure Rights for Migrant Care Workers
  
• Real access to PR: Reinstate the Interim Pathway with modifications
  
• Open Work Permits for Migrant Care Workers
  
• Labour Rights and Income Support
  
• Healthcare for All
  
• Ensure Family Unity
  
• Housing
  
• Federal Workers Program (FWP) – Care Worker Stream

Click here to read the Survey Report: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS