Dedicated Team to Enforce New Laws That Protect Ontario’s Vulnerable Workers

• Issued: July 2010
• Content last reviewed: July 2010

In April, the Ministry of Labour began targeted inspections to enforce two new laws that protect the province’s most vulnerable workers. For several months, inspectors will visit hundreds of workplaces to ensure that employers are complying with:

• the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act (Live-in Caregivers and Others), 2009, and
• the amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000, that further protect temporary help agency employees.

The Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act (Live-in Caregivers and Others), passed on March 22, 2010, prohibits recruiters from charging fees to caregivers. The new law also requires proper recordkeeping, and provides further protections and requirements. Meanwhile, amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000, that provide additional protections for temporary help agency employees passed on Nov. 6, 2009.

This enforcement campaign will help ensure that our most vulnerable workers are treated fairly.

Inspectors will visit temporary help agencies to help ensure that core employment standards are followed with respect to wages, overtime, hours of work, and other issues. The inspectors will also examine whether new public holiday entitlements are observed and certain information is provided to employees.

For recruiters of temporary foreign live-in caregivers, inspectors may review records, and interview various workplace parties.

The new laws will promote a level playing field for companies that comply with Employment Standards legislation, while reducing costs associated with claims investigations.

Contact Us

Should anyone believe that their rights under the Employment Standards Act have been violated, they may file a claim. Should anyone believe their rights have been contravened under the new temporary foreign workers legislation, another claim form is available. If anyone believes an employer is violating the Employment Standards Act, or the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, he or she can call 1-800-531-5551 or contact webes@ontario.ca.