Building a Disposable Workforce Through Temporary Migration Policy

This article outlines how federal policies under the Conservative government have supported a tremendous increase in temporary workers and left them subject to significant abuse and exploitation in the workplace. Meanwhile unions and migrant rights advocates have had to step in, as have some employers, developing innovative practices designed to address policy shortcomings. The dramatic rise in the numbers of temporary workers is in contrast with a decline in permanent resident migration. This ideological policy shift has serious implications for the labour force and social cohesion.