Protections for foreign workers
Last updated on April 15, 2024If you're a foreign worker, the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act regulates employers who hire you and recruiters who help you to find work in B.C. If you have concerns about your employment or recruitment, you can file a complaint.
On this page
Not every work issue or type of work is related to B.C. employment standards. See who can help.
Search for an employer or recruiter
Employment Standards keeps lists of all registered employers and licensed recruiters.
Registered employers
If you will be working in B.C. under most federal foreign worker programs, your employer must be registered.
Licensed recruiters
If a recruiter will be helping you to find work in B.C., the recruiter must have a licence from the B.C. government.
Rules for employers
Employers who hire foreign workers in B.C. must
- Follow employment standards
- Meet WorkSafeBC requirements
- Provide information to foreign workers about their rights
Employers must follow the law
Foreign worker employers cannot:
Take your money or documents
They can't charge you money for employment or recruitment services.
They can't deduct the cost to hire you from your wages or employment benefits.
They can't take your passport or official documents.
Threaten you
They can't threaten to deport you or take any other action against you without lawful cause.
They can't threaten you for making a complaint or for taking part in an official investigation.
Give you false information
They can't produce or distribute false or misleading information about:
- Recruitment services
- Immigration or immigration services
- Employment, housing or the law
They can't misrepresent employment opportunities, including:
- A job position or duties
- Length of employment
- Wages, benefits or other terms of employment
Employers must keep records
Your employer must keep all records related to hiring you, including:
- An employment contract signed by you and your employer
- Any contracts with foreign worker recruiters
- Fees and expenses related to recruitment and hiring
- Your name, address and work location
- Approval from the Government of Canada to recruit and hire you
- All payroll records
They must keep these records in B.C. for at least 4 years, and let Employment Standards inspect them if asked.
Rules for recruiters
Licensed recruiters and everyone they work with must uphold their legal obligations.
Recruiters must follow the law
Foreign worker recruiters and the people they work with cannot:
Keep your money or documents
They can't charge you money for employment or recruitment services.
They can't take your passport or official documents.
Threaten you against the law
They can't threaten to deport you or take any other action against you without lawful cause.
They can't threaten you for making a complaint or for taking part in an official investigation.
Give you false information
They can't produce or distribute false or misleading information about:
- Recruitment services
- Immigration or immigration services
- Employment, housing or the law
They can't misrepresent employment opportunities, including:
- A job position or duties
- Length of employment
- Wages, benefits or other terms of employment
Recruiters must inform you about their services
Recruiters and the people they work with need to tell you about the services they provide.
They need to tell you in writing if they will receive a fee or compensation for referring you to someone else.
If they provide immigration services to you and recruitment services to your employer:
- They must tell you about the services they're providing to you and the employer
- You must give consent in writing
You and your recruiter must sign a contract
Recruiters must have written contracts with each foreign worker and employer. If a recruiter provides services to you and your employer, they need a contract with both of you.
The contract needs to say:
- What services the recruiter will provide to you
- Any fees or expenses the recruiter will charge your employer
- Any fees or expenses the recruiter will charge you for immigration services
They must keep a copy of the contract in B.C. for at least 4 years, and let Employment Standards inspect it if asked.
See who can help
Not every work issue or type of work is related to B.C. employment standards. Other agencies can help you with some issues. See if the standards apply to you.
Contact Employment and Social Development Canada for help with any of the topics below:
- Health insurance
- Taxes
- Housing or living conditions
If you're covered by employment standards and you have concerns about your employment or recruitment after reading this page, you can file a complaint.
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