Today, July Thirtieth, marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. It is a day that calls on us to confront the reality of human trafficking in our world and the need to fight against it. Sadly, this practice is alive in the construction sector.

Over the last year, the BTA has been working to end an abusive system that is degrading Alberta’s skilled trades and the human rights of workers. After noticing a decrease of market share in Edmonton and Calgary, in cement masonry, concrete finishing carpentry, and other support trades, the BTA and its affiliates discovered that certain companies have been subcontracting out to illegal workers on federally-funded and private projects.

Shady subcontractors are using online platforms to lure citizens of primarily Latino countries to Canada on travel visas with the promise of a job and a work permit. These workers almost never receive work permits, instead remaining illegal workers who are paid less than half of the standard industry rate via cash in envelopes, or e-transfers. They receive no benefits, no pension contributions, no WBC coverage and if injured, are left with no recourse.

This practice that allows subcontractors to pay low, non-taxable wages to an illegal workforce is a threat to the value of Alberta’s skilled trades and to the career opportunities they offer legal workers. We as an industry cannot allow this to happen.

This is why the BTA has been actively engaging with partners in all levels of government to push for reforms to Canada’s procurement system that has allowed this to go on. We have communicated to various owners and contractors across our industry what is happening and what its consequences will be. We have also taken direct action, helping vulnerable migrant workers find the path to temporary resident permits and legal employment with work permits thanks to the efforts of MP Kelly McCauley and Deputy Minister Christiane Fox.

But there is more that needs to be done. That is why the BTA would like to introduce our new friend: Richard the Builder (as seen below).

Richard will be making some appearances around various sites that are exploiting undocumented workers, but he won’t be alone. The BTA will hold demonstrations and rallies against this practice until action is taken to ensure that the abuse and degradation of our industry comes to an end. We welcome all who are concerned about the rights of workers to join us.

This movement is being organized to ensure that construction in Alberta remains a good, middle class career and not a black market free-for-all where workers are treated like human slaves.