Nanny recruiters would face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to a year in jail if they get caught “directly or indirectly” charging foreign caregivers a fee to work in Ontario under legislation introduced Wednesday.

The jail term is the toughest penalty in Canada in such cases, Labour Minister Peter Fonseca said after revealing details of the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act.

The bill includes provisions to extend protection to other temporary foreign workers if the government deems that necessary. It would also make it illegal for nanny recruitment agencies or people who hire nannies to take their documents, such as passports or work permits.

“There have been justifiable concerns raised about exorbitant job-placement and other fees charged to live-in caregivers, as well as reports of instances in which passports and other personal documents of these workers were improperly withheld,” said Fonseca.

The government developed the bill after a year-long Toronto Star investigation revealed widespread abuse of the federal Live-In Caregiver Program, in which some unscrupulous recruiters charged nannies as much as $10,000 for jobs with phony employers.

The bill was applauded by the Workers’ Action Centre, but spokeswoman Deena Ladd said it should go further.

“This important first step to protect caregivers did not include other temporary foreign workers who also face fees, passport seizures and costs of recruitment,” she said, citing those who come to Ontario to toil in the restaurant and hospitality sectors.

A Toronto woman who owns a nanny recruitment agency with a branch in Hong Kong said the bill unfairly picks on legitimate agencies, which do help nannies faced with exploitative employers.

“I’ve had nannies who’ve been in bad situations call me for help,” said Tova Rich of Family Matters Caregivers, warning it will also now be harder for families to find nannies.

Fonseca said nannies who run into trouble should call employment standards inspectors.

NDP labour critic Cheri DiNovo said her party will support the bill because it protects foreign workers as they arrive, but wants tougher provisions to protect nannies from working “12- to 16-hour days” once they are in jobs.

“Nannies still work as indentured servants, often doing work that is not related to caregiving,” she said.

Premier Dalton McGuinty described the legislation as an overdue helping hand to those foreign nannies who uproot themselves to find a better life here.

“Ontarians feel the responsibility … that you’ll be treated fairly, that there will be rules in place that respect your human dignity.”

The Live-in Caregiver Program was established by the Canadian government to assist  its citizens to receive help with taking care of their loved ones . A foreign caregiver is  brought into the Canada where a lack of Canadian professional caregivers are available.

To take part in this government program certain steps must be taken.

We have qualified live-in caregivers in Canada waiting for sponsorship. We will represent families in recruiting, screening, interviewing, selection , negotiating employment agreements and all steps of completing Government applications, Labour market opinions and sponsorship letters and applications.

In addition we will provide live-in caregiver replacement guarantees for up to 6 mths. (details given to families).

For more details on this service call 905-567-7784 or email to angelcareconsultation@gmail.com

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