An independent UN human rights expert on Wednesday expressed concern over Canada’s temporary foreign worker programmes, describing them as “a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery”.

Tomoya Obokata, the Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur on the global scourge of modern slavery issued his statement at the end of a 14-day visit.

He called on the Canadian Government to intensify its efforts to safeguard workers’ rights and offer a clear pathway to permanent residency for all migrants.

Migrant workers at risk
“I am deeply disturbed by the accounts of exploitati