Guide for Migrant Workers Living and Working in Prince Edward Island
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Guide for Migrant Workers Living and Working in Prince Edward Island Is this guide for you? This guide is for people in the low skilled streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFWP) Program in Prince Edward Island (PEI). Regulations differ for other programs, such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), as well as the Caregiver, and Agricultural streams of the TFWP. This is an updated version of our 2016 Guide for Migrant Workers and covers some of the key issues that affect migrant workers in PEI as of July 2018. It explains the laws, but it is not legal advice. Also, this guide is applicable only for PEI. Laws and regulations will differ between provinces. We recommend that you also pursue further information and assistance beyond what is covered in this document. You can do this by contacting the organizations listed in the resource section of the document. Translations of this guide are available in Spanish and Mandarin. Acknowledgments Cooper Institute thanks the individuals and institutions that provided information for the production of this document. This guide was made possible through the generous support of the Law Foundation of Prince Edward Island. While financially supported by the Law Foundation of Prince Edward Island, the findings of this research do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation. Special credit is due to the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) whose comprehensive migrant worker guides have served as inspiration for this one. Table of Contents Status, Work Permits, and Immigration Status – Employer-specific work permit ............................................................................................. 5 Work Permit Application .................................................................................................................................... 5 Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) ....................................................................................... 5 Work Permit Renewal............................................................................................................................................ 6 Implied Status ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) ................................................................................................................ 7 Changing Employers ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Cap on Proportion of Low-Wage Positions .......................................................................................... 8 Study ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Permanent Residence .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) .......................................................................................................... 9 Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) ...................................................................................... 10 Work Conditions and Benefits Work Contracts ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Pay ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Pay Deductions ........................................................................................................................................................ 14 Time Off .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Vacation ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Paid Holidays ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Special Leave .............................................................................................................................................................. 17 Employment Insurance (EI) .......................................................................................................................... 18 Employment Insurance (EI) – Special Benefits ............................................................................ 19 Travel ............................................................................................................................................................................... 20 CPP for TFWP .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Taxes ................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Workplace Health and Safety Health and Safety Training ........................................................................................................................... 24 Health and Safety Rights ................................................................................................................................ 24 Unsafe Work .............................................................................................................................................................. 25 Injury and Illness in the Workplace ...................................................................................................... 26 Guide for Migrant Workers | 2 Knowing Your Rights Conflict or Disagreement with Employer ......................................................................................... 29 Termination and Layoff ....................................................................................................................................30 Fees .................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Harassment and Discrimination ............................................................................................................ 32 Unions and Collective Bargaining .......................................................................................................... 32 Human Trafficking ............................................................................................................................................... 32 Police ................................................................................................................................................................................ 34 Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) ....................................................................................... 35 Health Healthcare Coverage .......................................................................................................................................... 37 Medical Services on PEI .................................................................................................................................. 38 Healthcare Services in my Language ................................................................................................... 39 Pregnancy .................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Mental Health ............................................................................................................................................................ 41 Abuse ............................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Everyday Life Housing ......................................................................................................................................................................... 48 Community Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 48 Transportation ......................................................................................................................................................... 50 Resources Guide for Migrant Workers | 3 Status, Work Permits, and Immigration Guide for Migrant Workers | 4 Status – Employer-specific work permit As a Temporary Foreign Worker in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), your status in Canada comes from an Employer-specific Work Permit. This type of permit authorizes you to work for a single employer, who is named on your work permit. Your work permit also includes information that specifies how long you can work in Canada, and, sometimes, the location where you are authorized to work. The fee to apply for the work permit is $155 as of July 2018. Work Permit