8. TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS’ ACCESS TO PERMANENT STATUS (CAREGIVER PROGRAM)
Whereas #1 The entry of foreign caregiver workers, the majority of whom are women, is prompted by the unmet labour market demand for domestic caregivers to work full-time in caring for our most vulnerable citizens: our children, the elderly and the infirm; a demand which is projected to continue and increase as Canada’s population ages and more families are supported by two incomes; and
Whereas #2 These workers by virtue of their labour, engage in and provide many personal services for our society and its most vulnerable citizens; and
Whereas #3 The current Caregiver Program offers Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) caregivers restricted/provisional access and opportunity to apply for permanent residency; and
Whereas #4 Many of the almost 30,000 foreign caregivers currently employed in Canada seek to secure permanent residency status but are thwarted by onerous restrictions and are compounded by a mandatory cap in the absolute number who can apply each year (2,750); and
Whereas #5 In view of Minister Ahmed Hussen’s announcement in February 2018 that the TFW program by which companies and families currently apply to hire childcare workers and/or carers for “People with high Medical Needs” will end in November 2019; and that a new program will be developed and introduced; therefore, be it
Resolved #1 That the National Council of Women (NCWC) adopt as policy that TFW Caregivers, upon entry to the labour force in Canada are granted all the rights as well as the protection guaranteed in our laws; and urge the Government of Canada to reinstate and implement and maintain a pathway to permanent status for Caregivers upon their entry into the labour market in Canada; and further be it
Resolved #2 That NCWC urge the Government of Canada to ensure that upon entry to the labour force in Canada TFW caregivers are made aware of all their rights and obligations, as well as the protection guaranteed in our employment laws for the duration of their contract.