Temporary Foreign Biofood Industry Workers (COVID-19)
Temporary Foreign Biofood Industry Workers (COVID-19)
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Requirements to Enter Canada
The Government of Canada has put in place emergency orders under the Quarantine Act that apply to all travellers entering Canada to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada.
A temporary foreign worker’s employment contract begins on arrival in Québec. It includes the mandatory quarantine period upon arrival, if applicable.
The employer is required to pay wages to its employees during the quarantine period. If the period of quarantine or isolation on arrival is extended for any reason, workers must continue to be paid accordingly by the employer. The compensation must correspond to five hours of work per day, up to a maximum of 30hours per week, at a rate of pay at least equivalent to that specified in the employment contract. Proof of wages paid should be kept.
The public health guidelines, including those outlined in public health recommendations, will be taken into consideration when assessing an employer’s level of compliance regarding occupational health and safety.
The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) is the organization to which the Government of Québec has chosen to advance labour rights and obligations. It ensures that Québec workers and employers follow the law.
For more details on the labour standards that apply to temporary foreign workers, please visit the CNESST Temporary Foreign Workers page.
For Temporary Foreign Worker Program (agricultural stream) workers, the employer agrees to provide the employee with free health insurance coverage equivalent to that of the RAMQ from the time of the foreign worker’s arrival until such time as the worker becomes entitled to RAMQ benefits. In the current context, this private coverage must cover the costs of any COVID-19 treatment.
General Measures After the Quarantine Period
Everyone in Canada, including employers, must follow the most recent public health requirements, applicable health and safety laws and the most recent directives issued by the governments of Québec and Canada.
Accommodation
The general measures to be followed after the quarantine period apply to all accommodation, taking into account the pandemic context. Employers should continue to follow the main public health recommendations.
Foreign workers must be regularly notified of the health measures that must be followed, particularly outside of the workplace (e.g. transportation, grocery store, religious and social activities, if they are allowed).
For the most recent measures in effect and instructions that fit to your situation, please visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Québec page.
Workplace
Temporary foreign workers must follow the same rules in the workplace that apply to all workers.
You can consult the CNESST information leaflets on the rules to follow to ensure a safe work environment for all workers:
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself against COVID-19. People five years of age and older can make an appointment or go to a walk-in clinic to get the vaccine.
For detailed information about the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Québec and vaccine passport requirements, please visit the COVID-19 vaccination campaign page.