Services for Temporary Foreign Workers

There are a number of organizations and agencies that can assist you while you are working here in British Columbia. Some organizations that may be of assistance to you are described below.

Find out more about services available to BC residents (including TFWs) to protect residents’ rights and safety.

Embassies and Consulates

Connecting with your home country embassy or consulate is one way to get information or assistance. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade can help you find an embassy or consulate near you.

Employment Standards Branch

Newcomers to British Columbia who have a complaint against their employer can get help from the Employment Standards Branch in person, online or through a toll-free number. Personal assistance is available in a wide variety of languages. Information about employee rights is available online in English, French, Chinese, Punjabi, Hindi, Filipino and Spanish.

A self-help kit is available to quickly resolve disputes; however, workers with a significant language barrier are not required to use it and can receive direct, confidential assistance from staff at one of the nine Employment Standards Branch offices across the province. 

British Columbia labour laws and workplace safety standards apply to all workers, including temporary workers, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. 

The Government of Canada has the final say on immigration matters. The provincial Employment Standards Branch responds to worker-employer disputes that can occur after employees begin working.   

Employment Standards Branch staff conduct education and outreach programs to inform workers and their employers about employment standards. This includes site visits to workplaces, networking through community groups and churches, and contact with immigrant settlement groups.

WorkSafeBC

As a worker in BC your right to a safe work environment is protected by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. WorkSafeBC is responsible for protecting worker rights and promoting a safe work environment. You should always first speak to your employer if you have any questions or concerns about safety in the work place. However, in the event that your employer is not responsive and you continue to experience conditions at work that put you in unnecessary danger or violate safety standards, you should contact WorkSafeBC.

You can find information on BC workplace safety standards at the WorkSafeBC website in eight different languages.

Temporary Accommodation

Hostels, backpacker inns, motels, hotels, campsites and short-term living arrangements are available in most parts of BC In jobs like construction, tree-planting or surveying, the employer may provide housing or camping and other gear. Prepare for a wide variation of climates – temperatures, wind and precipitation - when you are in British Columbia due to ocean, mountain and other effects. You may have to purchase some equipment yourself while you are here.

A good tourist guide book with street maps will show you inexpensive places to eat and stay. It will also help you learn the language, currency, numbers, emergency information, streets and other common words to help you communicate if you need to find a place on short notice.

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Media Organizations

Radio Canada International (RCI)

The Link is a two-hour daily radio show aimed at connecting new immigrants to Canada, and Canada to the world. The website also offers other types of information and discusses issues useful to immigrants. To check out the website, or listen to this service over the Internet, visit Radio Canada International: The Link.

Ethnic Radio Stations

A number of websites list BC radio and internet stations geared to tourists, minorities and various ethnic groups, for example:  www.bcpassport.com/vancouver-vital-information/vancouver-radio-stations.aspx and  www.web-radio.fm/fr_eth.cfm.

Ethnic Press

There are a number of ethnic newspapers published across Canada listed on the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada website. See what might be available in your community. As an alternative, check out CanadianImmigrant.ca for a whole lot of immigrant-related information.

Finding help in your Community

BC is a multicultural society with temporary and permanent immigrants arriving from all over the world. These people have formed hundreds of different groups to provide support to one another as well as to newcomers to the community. If you are experiencing problems or requiring assistance, you should try to connect with one of these associations. 

Information about associations in BC can be found on the Internet .

Community organizations through your municipality may also be able to assist you in your settlement and integration. They can provide you information on how to access services available to all residents in your community.

You may also wish to refer to our contacts page for email addresses and telephone numbers of official organizations.