As the number of temporary workers peaks, the Quebec government is stepping up its investigation and monitoring mechanisms to prevent abuse by employers and agencies.
“We want to make sure we act on all fronts,” said Labor Minister Jean Boulet during an announcement Wednesday morning. “We must send a strong message to Quebec that temporary foreign workers must be treated fairly. »
The Commission for Standards, Equity, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST) is adding 10 agents to its “prevention squad”, which already has 12 members. It is also intensifying the monitoring of placement and recruitment agencies.
Between 2019 and 2022, the number of temporary workers in Quebec rose from 23,300 to 38,500. A proportion that should continue to increase due to the labor shortage, the minister agreed.
This announcement comes a few days after Radio-Canada revealed that Mexicans were paid four times less than their Quebec colleagues at the Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) plant in Valcourt.
The minister assures that the announcement is not linked to these recent revelations. While commending the work done by the journalist who documented the subject, he stressed that these were allegations “at this stage”. “But if the allegations prove to be founded, it is unacceptable that we have that in Quebec”. The CNESST, he added, is currently in the process of investigating this case.
More details will follow.
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