• Employment
• My Rights at Work
• Basic Working Conditions

Your Rights Under the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act

This information sheet summarizes your rights under the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, 2009 (EPFNA).

As a foreign national employed in Ontario, you have rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The ESA covers standards such as the minimum wage and limits on how many hours you can work.

The EPFNA applies to foreign nationals who work or are seeking work in Ontario under an immigration or foreign temporary employee program.

Topics included in this sheet are:

• A recruiter cannot charge you any fee
• Your employer cannot charge you for hiring costs
• Your recruiter or employer cannot take your property
• You cannot agree to give up your rights
• You cannot be punished for asking about or exercising your rights
• Employment Standards Officer’s powers

Employees covered under the EPFNA have the right to receive an information sheet about rights under the ESA along with this document.