Three charged in Moose Jaw after alleged mistreatment of foreign workers

Three employers in Moose Jaw are facing charges centered on mistreating foreign workers. Wayne Mantyka reports.

The Government of Saskatchewan says the province has laid its first charges under its immigration protection laws.

The charges centre on the actions of three employers in Moose Jaw, Kartikkumar Prakashkumar Patel, Rutvik Hasmukhbhai Patel and Piyushkumar Mafatbhai Patel. According to the province, the offences took place between August 2023 and February 2024 at the Guac Mexi Grill.

The three co-accused were charged with three offences under sections 22 and 23 of The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013 (FWRISA).

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Section 22 of the FWRISA forbids employers from threatening or taking action against a foreign worker who either participates in a government investigation or who submits a complaint to the province or police.

The section also forbids employers from taking unfair advantage of a foreign national’s trust or exploits their fear, lack of experience or knowledge.

Section 23 restricts employers from charging a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment.

The three accused are set to appear in Moose Jaw provincial court on Nov. 25.