In general, foreign workers in British Columbia are protected from unfair practices under the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act. Employers in British Columbia who hire temporary foreign workers through the below federal programs are required to register with the Province of British Columbia before December 15, 2020 if they plan to continue to hire temporary foreign workers through the below federal programs:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program;
- The Home Child-Care Provider Pilot; or
- The Home Support Worker Pilot.
There is no fee for the employer registration. The registration process typically takes 20 minutes to complete. If the registration is approved, employers are issued a certificate of registration valid for up to three years. Employers must renew their certificate of registration before it expires.
The registration requirement will allow the Province of British Columbia to identify which employers hire temporary foreign workers and will enable inspection of those employers and enforcement of provincial law. Until now, there has not been a system that registers and certifies employers who hire workers from other countries.
Further, this employer registry is the final step in implementing the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act, passed in fall 2018.
The following employers do not need to register:
- Being an excluded employer;
- Currently employ foreign workers and do not plan to hire additional workers; or
- Only hire foreign workers under the Provincial Nominee Program or the federal International Mobility Program.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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