Recruitment fees
Our government, media and public are outraged about the fees charged to caregivers by agencies. Everybody believes that the foreign workers should not pay anything if they want to come to work in Canada. What does it mean for you, the family that wants to hire a foreign caregiver?
Manitoba has introduced a new legislation that allows only licensed agencies to recruit foreign workers, including caregivers. The licensed agency is not allowed to charge any fees to the foreign worker. The cost of recruitment must be born by the employer. If you live in Manitoba, you have to first register with the government, then recruit the caregiver either directly or through a licensed agency. Since the agency is not allowed to charge anything, you will have to pay the cost. How much? It will be different from agency to agency. If you are quoted "no fee", the agency is breaking the law and, consequently, you would be breaking the law as well. It's really quite simple.
Alberta will introduce similar rules in September. The employer will be responsible for the cost of recruitment and the immigration work done on behalf of the caregiver. Nevermind that there are no guarantees to the employer that the caregiver will actually arrive at their door or remain working for the entire 2 years of the contract.
Ontario is preparing a legislation similar to that of Manitoba. Every agency recruiting abroad will have to be licensed. No agency will be allowed to charge the foreign caregiver for cost related to recruitment or immigration paperwork. You, the employer, will have to pay for it.
Other provinces and territories will soon follow the suit.
If you are told that there is no charge to you for bringing a foreign caregiver, the agency charges the caregiver.
What are your options?
- Health care plans
- Workers' compensation
- BC Employment standards
- AB Employment standards
- SK Employment standards
- MB Employment standards
- ON Employment standards
- NB Employment standards
- NS Employment standards
- PEI Employment standards
- YK Employment standards
- QC Employment standards
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Payroll account registration
