Sep 24

Workplace Violence: A Guatemalan Worker Fights for His Status in Quebec

In January 2022, a Guatemalan temporary worker employed in a Quebec factory was physically assaulted by his employer. This incident not only exposed the abuses faced by foreign workers but also led to the worker losing his legal status due to the rigidity of closed work permits. He is now fighting to regain his status and calling for legislative reforms to protect temporary workers from such situations.

Viviana Medina, a community organizer at the Immigrant Workers Centre (CTI-IWC), is deeply concerned about the plight of temporary workers, particularly those who lose their status due to workplace violence. She argues that the current system is too inflexible for these vulnerable individuals. Medina advocates for a legislative overhaul that would allow foreign workers to retain their status despite abuse, while ensuring more humane and protective labor rights.

Read more here (in french)

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