migrant workers

Employee awarded $ 150 000 in general damages for sexual harassment

July 14, 2015 Doug MacLeod, MacLeod Law Firm Employee Relations, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Notice, Damages and Settlements, Payroll

Since 2008, adjudicators appointed under the Ontario Human Rights Code have had the power to award unlimited general damages as compensation for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect. Since that time however, very few adjudicators have awarded more than $ 40.000 and most awards are under $ 20.000.

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Slaw: Quebec bill would require small farms to collectively bargain

July 10, 2014 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Corporate Immigration, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

Quebec’s new government wants to ensure that all farm workers have the right to unionize and collectively negotiate working conditions with their employers. Minister of Labour Sam Hamad has introduced Bill 8, An Act to amend the Labour Code with respect to certain employees of farming businesses, which would require small farms to let a union represent their employees.

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Canada’s laws fuel migrant worker exploitation: Report

September 19, 2012 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Corporate Immigration, Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Recruiting and Hiring, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

According to a published report titled “Made in Canada: How the Law Constructs Migrant Workers’ Insecurity” by the Metcalf Foundation, Canada’s reliance on low-wage migrant workers with temporary immigration status is growing but the employment and labour laws of the country make them vulnerable to abuse.

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A stunning example of mistreatment of migrant workers

June 3, 2011 Christina Catenacci Corporate Immigration, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources

This case is a stunning example of mistreatment of migrant workers: a live-in nanny recently launched a wrongful dismissal claim against her employer in the Ontario Superior Court seeking damages in the amount of $195,000 for breach of contract, unpaid wages, statutory holiday pay and vacation pay.

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Fifth worker involved in scaffolding incident sues for damages

August 27, 2010 Christina Catenacci Health and Safety, Human Resources

Last week, I wrote about the incident in which five migrant workers fell 13 storeys when a platform collapsed on Christmas Eve, 2009. Four died instantly, but one survived. This fifth worker, who suffered grave injuries, has now launched a civil suit for damages.

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