Gaining valuable work experience as a temporary worker in Canada is the first step toward getting a PR status in the country.
Even though temporary foreign workers do not enjoy all the rights like those with a PR, there are certain rights that every employer must understand. These include rules that ensure fair wages, health insurance, and safety.
How to become a temporary foreign worker in Canada?
The first step is to apply for a temporary work permit in Canada or a skilled work visa in Canada. You can apply for a temporary foreign worker program or the international mobility program. Both these programs require a job offer from a Canadian employer.
Even though a temporary work permit in Canada is given to those with a job offer, there are some exceptions like:
- A student who just graduated from a Canadian university
- An exchange worker
- Spouses of those with a Canadian PR
In this regard, there are two types of temporary work permits:
Openwork permits- It allows you to work for any employer, except those deemed ineligible or for a job that is not listed under the NOC.
Closed work permits – This requires an offer letter from the company in a specific Canadian jurisdiction stating that they will temporarily employ you.
Options as a temporary worker in Canada
If you are entering the country through a close work permit, you already have an employer who would take care of basic rights like transportation, health, etc, within the boundaries of their company regulations. It is also most likely that the monthly salary of a type 0, A, or B executive is enough to cover daily expenses.
However, if you are working as a temporary worker with an open work permit, your salary may not be sufficient to cover the basic amenities, or your job role comes under the low-wage category.
Irrespective of the job role and salary, there are certain basic amenities that the employer is entitled to offer to their employees:
Transportation: Employers must cover the expense of transportation to and from Canada for any low-wage temporary foreign workers. This expense cannot be deducted from an employee’s income.
Health insurance– Employers must provide low-wage temporary foreign workers with adequate health insurance. In rare situations, workers may be protected by provincial or territorial health insurance policies, but in most cases, the employer must arrange for the purchase of private health insurance.
Accommodation- Employers must ensure that low-wage temporary foreign workers have access to suitable and affordable accommodation. In certain instances, the employer may supply these accommodations, whilst in others, the company will just ensure that the employees have access. The entire cost of housing cannot exceed 30 percent of the worker’s pre-tax salary.
Conclusion
The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program allows work in Canada for those with valid work permits. The program is one of the easiest ways to work and later settle in Canada, as it comes under the Express Entry program. The best way to know about all the options as a temporary work permit Canada is to get in touch with immigration experts like Croyez.
Such immigration consultancies have a core team that analyses the candidate profile and offers the best advice and the program to help them settle in Canada.