Originally Published: 2009-05-24

Labour Minister Peter Fonseca

A law to protect contract workers “from abuse by employers and unscrupulous agencies.” Labour Minister Peter Fonseca made this announcement during a recent press conference at Multimedia Nova Corporation headquarters.The Employment Standards Amendment Act for Temporary Help Agencies – approved May 4 and to be in full force within six months – is intended to make it easier for temporary workers to switch from contract to permanent positions, without facing obstacles from employment agencies. Another important measure is to put an end to fee requests by agencies for services such as drafting resumés and preparing job applications.
Fonseca also said that the new law will ensure that workers are given information about their employer, work hours, and rate of pay — something they weren't privy to before.
The labour minister said this is a much-needed safeguard today, considering that there are 700,000 contract workers in Ontario and are at least 1,000 temp agencies. “We want there to be more transparency, both for workers and employers,” said Fonseca.
Both Ontario temp workers and those coming from other countries run the risk of being defrauded or victimized, and one of the most vulnerable of these are caregivers who come from abroad. There are 7,800 women who come to Ontario annually under the federal “Live-In Caregiver Program” – for the most part from the Philippines – to occupy temporary jobs such as nannies or assistant housekeepers. This is why the minister has activated a hotline that provides information on workers’rights in Ontario. The toll free number, which has been in operation since April 27, is 1-866-372-3247. Additionally, The Employment Standards Act guidelines are distributed in 23 languages across various public libraries and provincial offices.
“Protecting these people is our duty,” says Fonseca. “They are the most vulnerable workers who often turn to employment agencies for help in finding work. We’ve heard of abuse by agencies who ask for money in exchange for a job, and there have been numerous cases of fraud.”

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