P.E.I. seeks public input on licensing recruiters of foreign workers
The Government of Prince Edward Island has invited the public to provide their input on new draft regulations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act.
The Act includes a requirement for foreign national recruiters to be licenced, according to a news release. The proposed regulations contain added details about the licensing requirements for recruiters. Once the consultations on the proposed regulations are complete, recruiters who enlist foreign nationals for jobs in P.E.I. will be required to apply for a licence, unless they are exempt under the act.
“Temporary foreign workers contribute significantly to our economy and primary sectors, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are protected and treated with the respect and fairness they deserve,” Jenn Redmond, workforce, advanced learning and population minister said in the release.
The act was passed in the provincial legislature in spring 2022 following previous public consultations. The current consultations relate only to the new proposed regulations associated with the act.
Federal TFW restrictions
The news comes on the heels of the federal government announcing new restrictions to limit low-wage temporary foreign workers.
Ottawa is also considering whether to reduce its immigration targets for permanent residents.
The Liberal government, which has been criticized for the recent influx of temporary foreign workers, is bringing back pre-pandemic rules that made it more difficult for businesses to hire low-wage workers from abroad.
Low-wage workers
Effective Sept. 26, the government will refuse applications for low-wage temporary foreign workers in regions with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
Employers will be allowed to hire a maximum of 10% of their workforce from the temporary foreign worker program, down from 20%. Workers hired through the low-wage stream will be able to work a maximum of one year, down from two years.
To learn more about P.E.I’s draft regulations and submit feedback, click here.
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Do we really need one more level of bureaucracy, one more hand in our pocket or the pocket of a migrant worker? How about we make the process nice and simple so that the farmer that has the need can apply without the aid of a of a third party adding to the cost and the red tape. Put some serious penalties in place for anyone that abuses the process and prosecute them and put them in prison when they don’t follow the rules and try and cheat the system.