In March 2018, “Envisioning Justice for Migrant Workers: A Legal Needs Assessment” by Alexandra Rodgers was published by The Migrant Workers Centre. The report outlines an examination of the legal needs of migrant workers and the barriers they experience when accessing legal information and services in B.C. Recommendations focus on systemic solutions to enhance migrant workers’ access to legal information and services in in the province.
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Recommendation 1:
Create a network of stakeholders involved in the dissemination of legal information and provision of legal services
A network of stakeholders is necessary to coordinate multiple entry points into a system that facilitates access to legal information and services for migrant workers. The network would consist of multiple stakeholders working together to provide a seamless experience for migrant workers to access information at the prearrival, on-arrival, and employment stages of their migration. Stakeholders include both government and nongovernment actors, as follows:
Pre-arrival:
A network of stakeholders is necessary to coordinate multiple entry points into a system that facilitates access to legal information and services for migrant workers. The network would consist of multiple stakeholders working together to provide a seamless experience for migrant workers to access information at the prearrival, on-arrival, and employment stages of their migration. Stakeholders include both government and nongovernment actors, as follows:
Pre-arrival:
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, through its Canadian visa offices overseas, would distribute legal information materials to migrant workers prior to their arrival to Canada. These materials would be provided when the worker’s visa is sent to or picked up by the prospective worker, and would be made visibly available at Canadian embassies, consulates, and visa processing centres abroad.
- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would distribute legal information materials to migrant workers at their point of entry to Canada at airports and border crossings. CBSA officials would provide these information materials to migrant workers when they receive their work permit.
- Legal advocates in the region would provide post-arrival information sessions to migrant workers.
- Trained call centre staff at key government agencies would provide information and referrals to legal advocates, the dedicated website and the dedicated hotline.
- Websites of key government agencies would refer migrant workers to the dedicated website and the dedicated hotline.
- Trained community service providers, including key settlement agencies, grassroots migrant worker organizations and faith-based organizations, would conduct outreach to migrant workers and provide legal information and referrals to legal services.
- Legal advocates would provide direct legal advocacy services, workshops and mobile clinics to remote areas. Legal advocates would also regularly update the dedicated website and answer the dedicated hotline.
- Lawyers would provide supervision to the legal advocates, and training to the legal advocates and community service providers.
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