Modern Day Slavery – How To Seek Help

New on Clicklaw

Human Trafficking BrochureDo you know someone who is working in a low paying job with unsafe or unsanitary conditions, is subjected to abuse, has no say in his or her situation and/or is being threatened with deportation?  If so, that person may be a victim of human exploitation or trafficking.  This injustice happens everyday but it is foreign workers that are most vulnerable to such crimes.

 
Every year Canada takes in roughly 150,000 temporary foreign workers, with BC and Ontario leading the way.  These individuals are employed as live-in caregivers, agricultural workers, engineers, doctors and hospitality service providers.  Very often foreign workers feel socially isolated, face language barriers and have limited employment options, all of which makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitation.  All workers in Canada, including temporary foreign workers, are protected under Canadian employment and labour laws and it is critical that temporary foreign workers are aware that their rights are protected and help is available. 

  
In BC there a number of agencies dedicated to preventing human exploitation and trafficking, offering  services for affected individuals.  The Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons is a good starting point for people  seeking help.  It offers help with housing assistance, as well as access to health and legal aid services. 

For more information and key contacts have a look at the Modern Day  Slavery information sheet on Clicklaw.

AdminLawBC – Online Resource for Navigating Administrative Law

The broader context

jes-adminlawbcresolvingdisputes AdminLawBCAre you preparing for a tough talk with your boss and want to get tips on negotiation tactics that will help the dialogue move forward?  Does your phone bill reflect charges that were not included in your original contract and you want to dispute the matter with your phone provider?  Are you a licensed practical nurse who wants to appeal a decision of your College’s Registrar of complaints?  All of these issues fall under the jurisdiction of boards, tribunals and government agencies that make rules affecting our daily lives.  This is administrative law territory. 

On April 15, Justice Education Society relaunched the AdminLawBC site that is intended to help British Columbians identify and navigate the appropriate administrative agencies in order to properly address issues dealt by each organization.  The updated site lists all the administrative agencies by topic, some of which include:

  • Citizenship, Rights & Law Enforcement
  • Culture & Information
  • Employment & Labour
  • Health & Health Professionals
  • Professional & Associations

The new and improved AdminLawBC site uses straightforward language, instructional videos as well as soon-to-be released automated assistant (JESS) or chat, that will help with identifying the appropriate agency and guiding users to relevant information resources addressing their specific administrative law matter.  

Also, have a look at Clicklaw for additional resources dealing with various administrative law areas, as identified under the following Common Questions – I have to do my own judicial review, I’ve been cut off workers’ compensation benefits, I’m representing myself at a landlord/tenant hearing, I’m preparing for a tribunal.  Where can I find out what to do?