Migrant workers are demanding the abolition of the Live-in Caregiver Program: Live-in caregivers claim they are being exploited
Britt Carlsen
Jan 16, 2010
NEWS1130

Live-in caregivers from across the Lower Mainland took part in a rally outside the Vancouver Art Gallery today, to show their frustration and anger toward the Live-in Caregiver Program or LCP. A few amendments have been made to the LCP but Glecy Duran, who spoke on behalf of the workers, calls the program modern day slavery and says the changes don't even scratch the surface of what the real issues are.

The amendments, … "further entrench the use of temporary foreign labor, divides workers, and undermines the struggle for universal child care, health care, as well as women's and workers' rights in Canada."

Duran adds workers are being exploited and the LCP is in violation of their human rights.  Under current restrictions, caregivers are given temporary immigration status, an employer specific work permit that forces them to live with and work for only that employer, and they are not allowed to bring their families to Canada. Duran feels this is no longer acceptable.  "Coming in with temporary status means we have no access to benefits. In terms of contribution to the economy, we do contribute.  In regards to the policy that we have to live-in the employer's house, why do we have no rights to choose a different employer?"…

So what do the migrant workers want?  Duran says it is simple "to abolish the program."  Duran maintains that workers should be accepted into Canada with landed status, along with their families, and have the right to choose their type of employment and where they live.  "Let us come as a permanent residents, let us have a choice of work."