Are you working or living in Squamish on a closed temporary foreign work permit?
If so, your experience matters.
The local Migrant Worker Support Program is currently running a survey for such workers in order to learn more about temporary foreign work in Squamish.
The voluntary survey takes about 15 minutes to fill out and is confidential.
The survey can be taken in Japanese, English, Spanish, Tagalog and French.
(Those who speak other languages can request to take the survey with an interpreter.)
The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program allows Canadian employers, including in Squamish, to hire foreign workers to fill temporary jobs when qualified Canadians aren’t available.
A closed work permit means a single employer employs these workers.
Many newcomers in Squamish with closed work permits come from Cameroon, India, the Philippines, and countries in Latin America, according to a news release from the Squamish Welcome Centre.
"They’ve left everything behind at home to start a new life here in Canada. If anything goes wrong at work, they are unable to switch to a new job," the release states.
"Can you imagine only being allowed to work one job? What would you do if you lost that job? Or if you experienced harassment or exploitation at the workplace?"
The non-profit Squamish Welcome Centre runs the Migrant Women-Opportunities for Work (MiWOW) Support Program for Temporary Foreign Workers and is providing support to people living in or working in Squamish with closed work permits.
"While there is data and good reporting about labour shortages in Canada and B.C., government agencies don’t keep tabs on what life truly looks like for the newcomers who come to Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker program. At present, there is no official data or information about what temporary foreign work really looks like in B.C., let alone a small town like Squamish," the release states.
Filling out the survey helps such local organizations know how best to help temporary workers in town.
The MiWOW program helps guide temporary foreign workers to available services and
resources. This program provides free, confidential support through one-on-one appointments, workshops, outreach and education, and recreational activities. Anyone who is working or living in Squamish with a closed work permit, an Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Persons, or who is the dependent of a worker is eligible to access these services, the release states.
Find the survey at seatoskycommunity.org/survey.
For any questions or concerns call, email, or drop by the
Squamish Welcome Centre Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
