SASKATOON – The provincial government introduced new legislation to ensure Saskatchewan continues to be a prime employment destination for foreign nationals.
The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act was proclaimed on Friday.
The new legislation helps protect foreign workers from exploitation and mistreatment while coming to work in Saskatchewan.
"It will protect newcomers to the province who may be vulnerable to exploitation because of their language ability or lack of knowledge about law or culture," said Bill Boyd, the province's minister responsible for immigration.
Saskatchewan's Ministry of the Economy has received hundreds of cases relating to the legal rights and responsibilities of foreign workers and employers. It says around 30 per cent of those cases were not covered under existing legislation.
Employers will also benefit, as it will give them assurance that the recruiters they use are licensed and acting ethically.
It prevents employers, recruiters and immigration consultants from charging foreign workers fees while hiring.
Fines up to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for corporations could be issued to violators of the Act.
Over 11,000 new immigrants arrived in Saskatchewan last year alone.
The Saskatchewan government says no other province provides protection from mistreatment for foreign worker recruitment, immigration and settlement services.
