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Band-Aid on a Bullet Wound—Canada’s Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers Policy

Author

Listed:
  • Eugénie Depatie-Pelletier

    (Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers (ADDPD-ARHW), Montreal, QC H2J 1M3, Canada)

  • Hannah Deegan

    (Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers (ADDPD-ARHW), Montreal, QC H2J 1M3, Canada)

  • Katherine Berze

    (Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

Abstract

In June 2019, the Government of Canada implemented the Open work permit for vulnerable workers (OWP-V) policy, authorizing immigration officers to issue open work permits to migrant workers on employer-specific work permits if they demonstrate reasonable grounds to believe that they are experiencing abuse or are at risk of abuse in their workplace. Drawing on research conducted by a community organization on the impact of the policy, this article examines the policy’s potential to remedy the problematic effects of the employer-specific work permit and whether it has been implemented efficiently. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with organizations that provide direct legal and social support to migrant workers in Canada. Additionally, two datasets regarding the role of the OWP-V policy in IRCC’s employer compliance regime were analyzed. The research concludes that the OWP-V policy cannot be expected to counteract the high risk of abuse imposed on workers through the employer-specific work permit. Numerous barriers were identified that make it difficult for migrant workers to apply for the permit. The small number of OWP-V permits issued in proportion to the number of employers authorized to hire migrant workers makes it unlikely that the policy will significantly impact employers’ propensity to comply with the program conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Eugénie Depatie-Pelletier & Hannah Deegan & Katherine Berze, 2022. "Band-Aid on a Bullet Wound—Canada’s Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers Policy," Laws, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlawss:v:11:y:2022:i:3:p:36-:d:797793
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert Falconer, 2020. "Grown Locally, Harvested Globally: The Role of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canadian Agriculture," SPP Communique, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, vol. 13(17), July.
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