THURSDAY, JUNE 01, 2006

VANCOUVER…Leaders from BC’s largest construction unions today denounced the exploitation of foreign workers employed on tunnel construction for the publicly-funded Richmond-Airport-Vancouver [RAV] rapid transit Canada Line.

The British Columbia and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council (BCYT-BCTC) has learned that up to 60 foreign workers (mostly from Costa Rica with some from Colombia and Peru) doing RAV tunnelling are earning as little as $1000 USD per month for working 9-10 hours per day, six days a week. They are employed by a joint venture of SNC Lavalin and Italian firm SELI.

The low wage workers are in Canada on Temporary Foreign Worker Visas but the BCYT-BCTC says that the criteria for allowing them in has clearly been violated. According to Immigration Canada, foreign workers are admissible only if wages and working conditions are comparable to those offered to Canadians working in the same occupation.

“These workers are being exploited – they are earning less than B.C.’s minimum wage in violation of Employment Standards while working on a $2 billion project,” said Wayne Peppard, Executive Director of the BCYT-BCTC. “Where is Immigration Canada and why are they letting foreign workers be abused in this way on a major public construction job? Where is the Employment Standards Branch?”

Peppard said the BCYT-BCTC learned of the situation through some of its members who were working on the project alongside the foreign workers.

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The BCYT-BCTC is also concerned that BC and Canadian workers are being displaced by the foreign workers, with RAV saving money through exploitation.

“I have a stack of resumes of qualified workers who are experienced, willing and able to do this tunnelling work,” said Mark Olsen, Business Manager of the Labourers Local 1611. “We are not opposed to foreign workers coming to Canada but not to be exploited and not to take jobs that should be filled by local workers.”

“I’m worried about the future” said Brad MacKenzie, President of the Operating Engineers Local 115. “What does this say to Canadians, youth and First Nations, looking for an opportunity to get out of low-wage service sector jobs and begin a career in construction?” MacKenzie asked.

The Building Trades are also concerned about the safety qualifications of the foreign workers.

“There are several critical safety systems involved in this construction. I want to know that proper assessment of qualifications and inspections of work performed are up to Canadian standards,” said Peppard.

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For further information contact: Wayne Peppard, Executive Director, BCYT-BCTC, 604-291-9020 or cell 778-388-0014 or Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications, 604-844-7827 or cell 778-896-0964.

For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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