Toronto, Canada – The Laborers’ International Union of North America, representing 100,000
construction workers in Canada, has documented the expanded use of foreign workers for construction projects. The misuse of temporary work permits by employers in the building and construction industry is rampent.Reviewing government data, LIUNA determine that over 2,500 construction jobs in British Columbia were filled by foreign workers with temporary legal permits. These worker permits designed for those with special skills, allowed thousands of foreigners to replace Canadian tradesmen. While the Canadian government claims that special temporary work permits are not designed for construction workers, employers continue to use this process to bring thousands of foreign workers into the country.
There is general concern among the building trades in Canada and the USA that lower wages often paid to foreign workers affect the job market and medium pay in the organized labor building industry. Since unionized apprenticeship training programs in Canada and the United States can easily accomodate many more potential union members there is no need for foreign workers in the construction industry.
