Unpaid workers linger, despite an authorized recruitment agency overseeing their employment.
Rewritten Article:
The heat's on for Montreal's employment agency Iris, accused of ripping off migrant workers. Weeks after Le Devoir exposed their illegal practices, this outfit's permits have been revoked by the CNESST. Yet, there are still scores of workers who seek justice, telling their harrowing tales of unpaid hours, questionable fees, and missing employment contracts.
Patrick Lobé, a former employee, stood up yesterday to speak against the injustice, recounting his torment within the company. "I'm here to denounce, to denounce, and to denounce," he emphasized, wavering under the weight of his story. Iris' unscrupulous tactics included a contract he never received, leaving him vulnerable and overworked. "I've been through a lot of abuse," he breathed, signing heavily.
Protesters joined him, brandishing placards that screamed "Ripped off" and "Outraged." Monday morning saw gatherings outside the Iris offices in LaSalle, decrying the agency's fraudulent recruitment practices.
Opening the Floodgates
An investigation published on our site on April 9 revealed that Iris, led by Dieudonné Nidufasha, violated the law by lending workers on permit to other companies across Quebec. The agency owed close to $100,000 in unpaid wages to several of its workers, as stated by CNESST lawsuits[2].
In response to the revelations, the Minister of Labour swiftly condemned such abuses, and six days later, on April 15, the CNESST stripped Iris of its recruitment and placement permits[3].
Recommended Reading:
- Investigation | Migrant workers exploited by Montreal agency
- Iris agency workers cry foul: "We've been ripped off!"
- Study exposes vulnerable position of abused migrant workers
Laura Doyle Péan from the Centre for Immigrant Workers and Workers demands more. "We're here to recover unpaid wages and collect the necessary documents the agency's been slow to provide," she stated[3].
Workers complain of Nidufasha's failure to supply tax receipts, essential documents for future immigration procedures[4]. "If we need to proceed with immigration processes, we need these documents. Otherwise, they'll consider us impostors, and that's not right," Lobé warned[4]. The perceived insecurity instilled by Iris has left many workers in limbo. "It threatens our stay here," Lobé said, adding that the ordeal has been "disastrous."
CNESST's ongoing legal battles may help recover the owed funds[5]. One ex-employee, currently struggling in Canada's healthcare network, expressed her despair, "What have we done wrong? Did we err in dreaming of coming to Canada?" She preferred to remain anonymous to avoid further trouble from the agency[5]. She disclosed that Iris has undermined the mental health of many workers, and critics argue that government and CNESST responses have been sluggish[5].
Iris is barred from recruiting or placing workers. Non-compliance may lead to prison terms and fines ranging from $600 to $6,000[3].
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Enrichment Data:Newrest and Trésor: An international aviation catering firm, Newrest, and a Quebec recruitment agency, Trésor, are under investigation following a lawsuit filed by the Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC)[1]. The IWC alleges these entities manipulated foreign workers, offering them false promises of employment and exploiting them[1].
Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC): The IWC has been advocating for the rights of migrant workers, addressing issues of exploitation, and advocating for better immigration policies[1].
- In the ongoing investigation, it was discovered that Iris, led by Dieudonné Nidufasha, violated the law by lending migrant workers to various companies globally, which led to unpaid wages worth nearly $100,000 for several workers as stated by CNESST lawsuits.
- Dieudonné Nidufasha, the head of Iris, has been accused of withholding essential tax receipts from workers, necessary for future immigration procedures, causing significant distress among the workers.
- After the revelations about Iris' fraudulent activities, the agency was stripped of its recruitment and placement permits by the CNESST, but many workers continue to seek justice, including unpaid wages and essential documents.
