Canada Takes Steps to Protect At-Risk Workers

Effective immediately, Human Resources and Skills Development (ESDC) will be issuing negative Labour Market Opinions for individuals destined to work in fields related to the sex trade. This includes jobs with companies such as strip clubs, escort services, and massage parlors. Beginning on July 14, 2012, ESDC will no longer accept new applications for businesses in these fields.

Labour Market Opinions (LMOs) are generally required for foreign nationals to come to Canada to work on a temporary basis. By refusing LMOs to companies in these fields, the Government of Canada intends to better protect temporary foreign workers who are vulnerable to exploitation.

“Our government is committed to protecting all workers from abuse, exploitation and demeaning work,” said ESDC Minister Diane Finley. “Through collaborative partnerships and preventative action, these new measures will further strengthen Canada's National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which was launched in early June.”

These measures are part of an overall effort to address issues of human trafficking, as outlined in the recently adopted National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.

“Canadians want an immigration system that is open and fair—they do not want a system that can be used to exploit people,” added Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. “Canadians have told us they want to put a stop to foreign workers entering Canada to work in businesses where there are reasonable grounds to suspect a risk of sexual exploitation. The Government has listened and acted."