I think they caught the VO napping. Surely "functional equivalent" isn't a real thing. TFWs whose jobs come to an end are usually compelled to either get a new LMO from a different employer, or to stop work.
From the language in the preamble to OB485-A, it was never really designed to prevent all instances where a PR applicant might have to return home to await the outcome. It seems the main objective of the BOWP is where an employer would have to renew an LMO in order to keep the employee on, where the employee is likely to be approved for PR anyway, so that (a) the employer is spared the hassle of the LMO request, and (b) ESDC is spared from processing it.
But they asked for it anyway, and hats off, they got it 8)
From the language in the preamble to OB485-A, it was never really designed to prevent all instances where a PR applicant might have to return home to await the outcome. It seems the main objective of the BOWP is where an employer would have to renew an LMO in order to keep the employee on, where the employee is likely to be approved for PR anyway, so that (a) the employer is spared the hassle of the LMO request, and (b) ESDC is spared from processing it.
But they asked for it anyway, and hats off, they got it 8)