The Association for New Canadians is highlighting how abuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is leading to an increase in the number of human trafficking cases in the province.
The information was shared during the ANC’s Human Trafficking Awareness Summit held yesterday in downtown St. John’s.
Participants in the ANC’s Human Trafficking Conference (VOCM News)
Participants say the issue is a growing problem in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly as it relates to the exploitation of newcomers for labour.
Conference organizer Geraldine Ankrah says newcomers who may not know their rights are vulnerable to exploitation.
“Some people are taking advantage of newcomers and exploiting the fact that they have closed work permits, they do not know their rights, maybe some don’t really understand English well. So we actually have cases right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
RCMP Constable Colleen Noble says neither the RCMP nor the RNC have a human trafficking division in the province.
She says the problem is especially pronounced in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
“In rural Newfoundland, labour trafficking is a concern and isolation is huge, but that also applies to anybody that’s sexual trafficked or labour trafficked.”
“If you’re in a rural community, where do you go for help?
