Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) has launched a campaign aimed at exposing workplace abuses faced by migrant workers in Ontario and addressing systemic gaps in protections. The “Bad Boss Tour: Road to Resistance” began Friday with a bus tour through downtown Toronto, targeting employers and government bodies linked to these issues.
The advocacy group said the tour highlights failures in workplace protections and calls for immediate reforms to ensure fairness, respect, and dignity for thousands of migrants working under restrictive permits. Stops included the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the Ministry of Labour, and other agencies.
At each stop, participants raised concerns about how current systems fail migrant workers. “The workers’ compensation system often excludes migrants from accessing critical supports,” J4MW said in a statement, citing cases where injured workers were left without recourse. They also criticized the Ministry of Labour’s employment standards, which they argue do not adequately protect precarious workers.
One of the tour’s key moments was the announcement of its first “bad boss” target, a tactic J4MW plans to continue monthly over the next year. While details about the employer were not disclosed, organizers said the campaign will put public pressure on employers they accuse of mistreating workers.
The group also used the tour to draw attention to a class-action lawsuit over Employment Insurance (EI) benefits for migrant workers. The case is scheduled for a certification hearing in December 2025.
Stops included the federal Ministry of Health, where participants demanded stronger protections against workplace pesticide exposure, and Service Canada, where issues with labour market impact assessments (LMIAs) and open work permits for vulnerable workers were addressed.
The tour concluded at the Chinese Railroad Workers monument, where organizers launched a broader community campaign to support migrant worker rights leading up to the EI case.
Justice for Migrant Workers said the tour marks the beginning of a year-long initiative to hold employers and policymakers accountable for the treatment of migrant workers.