ONTARIO ACTS TO HELP TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS

Telephone Hotline And Fact Sheet To Aid Live–in Caregivers
April 25, 2009

NEWS
A new toll free telephone hotline, outreach team, and information fact sheet will help employees who are part of the federal Live–in Caregiver Program address issues regarding their employment rights.

The Ministry of Labour hotline will provide these employees, often called nannies, with information on their rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The hotline will be supported by a specially trained team to assist them in filing claims and link them to dedicated investigative officers.

The ESA fact sheet for live–in caregivers provides information on wages, hours of work, overtime pay, and other rights under the ESA. It also explains that employers cannot punish or threaten them for asking for their rights under the ESA.

The measures announced today are part of Ontario’s strategy that will also include introduction of legislation later this year that will, if passed, ban placement fees and begin targeted enforcement of agencies that breach Ontario’s labour laws.

QUOTES
“We are taking action to help protect vulnerable employees who are in Ontario under the federal Live–in Caregiver Program. The new telephone hotline and information fact sheet will assist these employees while we move forward on a made–in-Ontario solution to address broader concerns.”

– Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour

“Women working in Ontario under the federal Live–in Caregiver Program will now be safer. The hotline and fact sheet will ensure more women know their rights under the law and can take action when their rights aren't being respected.”

– Deb Matthews, Minister Responsible for Women's Issues

QUICK FACTS
The new toll free information hotline will be 1–866–372–3247. The hotline will begin receiving calls on April 27, 2009.

There were approximately 18,000 employees in Ontario in 2007 that were part of the federal Live–in Caregiver Program.

LEARN MORE
Read the new ESA fact sheet for employees in the federal Live–in Caregiver Program
Find out more about the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA)

CAREGIVER Movie - starring Sharon Cuneta

OFW's who have seen this movie, please post your review here. Bravo to the writer/s who made Sarah stronger - and able to stand up for herself, rather than the usual - "never mind, I give up" response that we see often from DHs/Nannies/Caregivers.

Live-in Caregiver Program applications HK- post

Note: Application Forms are not available in the Canadian Consulate and must therefore be downloaded from the website.
http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/hongkong/immigration/nivisa-en.asp

Work Permit Applications for Live-in Caregiver Program
http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/hongkong/immigration/twapp-en.asp


Third Party submissions will not be accepted. Applicant must submit in person.
Effective July 15, 2008, new office hours will be:

Monday to Thursday: 08:00am to 10:00am
Friday : Closed
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed

Non - Immigrant Application:
Visiting Canada
Studying in Canada
Working in Canada
Photo Specifications (Photos which do not meet these specifications will be rejected)
Fee Schedule

A-PRO Caregivers & Nannies:

Thanks To All Who Again Made Our Annual Picnic A Success.

This year, Multicultural Helping House Society's "WE CARE" Settlement Support Services for Caregivers - came out to network with us, Vice-Pres, Felomina Piano, thank you for introducing yourself and the organization.

Special thanks goes out to Mr. Lito Orayan, for the delicious BBQ and chopping the Lechon. Sandy for organizing the games.

If anyone have photos they would like posted here - please email it to info@vancouvernannies.com

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A-PRO Caregivers & Nannies - 7th Annual Picnic

A-PRO Caregivers & Nannies -7th Annual Picnic -along with Vancouver Area Nannies -social & recreation group will be June 28, 2008. We start out with a picnic at Stanely Park - Second Beach (Pool Area) There is eating, socializing and lawn games through the afternoon. The picnic begins at noon till 5:30pm.

Watch for a white tent RSVP by June 26,
Sandy: 778-319-2776 or
Email: info@vancouvernannies.com

It is a potluck with A-PRO providing the Lechon.

Then in the evening you get to work off the lechon and pancit with a dance and laraoke that evening at Pondok's 950 W. Broadway. Second Flr. The dance is 9PM till 2:am.