I personally know of human rights abuses going on for young foreign nannies living in homes in Canada under the LCP but the women concerned are too frightened to stand up for themselves incase they lose their right to stay in Canada. The LCP the way it is presently run is shockingly unmanaged by the Candian Government so as to protect the rights of foreign workers. This is a human rights issue and would not stand up for one moment in the UK or Europe but in Canada where the Boss is King we are all supposed to keep quiet and count ourselves lucky we even have a job. Disgusting. The Canadian Govt should be ashamed of itself.  

The LCP needs to be cancelled. We don't need LCPs in Canada, it is just a way for Tim Hortons and A&W to get cheap, pliant workers. There has never been a demonstrated need for these workers who only benefit the extremely rich who can afford a nanny. Also it is disgusting that LCP have received the same priority in immigration as spouses. Spouses of Canadians should be processed way before nannies.  

this Dhalla issue is a plain wake up call. something has to be done now.  

The LCP is essential for those who are disabled or otherwise need assistance for vulnerable family members. Canadian citizens also work in these roles. While there may be some abuses in certain cases, not every employer is bad. The news article does not accurately portray all the facts. It is perfectly legal for anyone to work 12 hours. Overtime pay is stipulated by the government in each province, as well as the federal government. And by the way, depending on a live-in caregiver's contract, they can have duties that include shining shoes, washing a car or shoveling snow at the family residence. If Ms. Dhalla's mother lives with her, then Ms. Dhalla is part of the charge's family and the contract can state that certain things will be done for them as well, including fixing meals for the charge & family. Shoveling snow would not be just for Ms. Dhalla's benefit, but for her mother's as well. Looking forward to more details on this case. I am sure that the media has not and may never share all the facts. It's not as clear cut as it may seem. And have been told that Ontario has many problems with "fake" employers however immigration has found a way to check that by calling an employer to the airport to pick up the caregiver. So, the Canadian government IS doing something. However, some of the Filipino community demands are unrealistic. If anyone...Canadians included want to keep live-in jobs, they have to be willing to work. I work extremely hard as a caregiver at the moment & have no issues.  

I totally agree with Canadagirl. Not all employers are bad, same as not all nannies are good.
The demands that the advocates and the Philippines community are requesting are unrealistic. If one feels that life in Canada as a Live-In caregiver is that bad then they should leave Canada and go back to the Philippines.
Canada never recruited them to come to Canada. They applied on their own. If the want to live in Canada then they must follow the laws of Canada and not suggest to change its laws to accommodate their demands. Instead of thanking Canada for the opportunity it provides them this is what they give in return.
The media has been reckless in reporting this so called abuse. As journalist they should investigate and report without bias. The media has instigated this. If these ladies are accusing their employers of abuse, the media must obtain the information from their employers as well. It does not mean that one cries for abuse that we all have to believe right away. You are innocent until proven guilty. They have recklessly used abuse to justify their reason for quitting employment.
If you don't like Canada, then leave.  

Funny that when an employer is said to be abusive, the media and the freaking advocates are all over the place crying "foul" and "abuse". There are abuses both ways, and abuse by nannies should be heard as well. Coming to Canada with fake employers, relatives posing as employers then letting the nanny go once they get here in Canada. Crazy enough, these bogus employers are the most impatient of all, bugging agencies, hrdc and immigration about the processing time saying that their family desperately needed a nanny but can wait for 2 years for them to get here. Employers and live in nannies need each other - so everybody shut the hell up and clean up your acts and deal with issues like mature human beings!!! Abuse? Wait until you hear why these nannies do on weekends or days off. I feel bad for the honest, hard working nannies because some rotten ones got mixed in the bunch. Some nannies are RACIST, they do not want to work for Non-white families, they gossip and compare employers and if they didn't winnthe competition (who's the swellest boss contest) Nanny will abandon employment and look for the next family who can be manipulated by their sad stories. And of course, if later on, because of quitting jobs so many times, can not finish the requirement and then will blame the program...Immigration and the government are protecting Canadians welfare, by implementing a stricter policy, to weed out the lazy and the troublemakers who whine and complain. Why can't we just be happy that we were given the chance and opportunity to work and live in Canada? We came to Canada to seize the opportunity, we came on our free will and we know that by doing so, we will leave our families behind, for few years, a sacrifice that some has to endure fir a better future for families. We owe it to our families behind, to at least maintain our good values and to make them proud. Please don't flaunt your stupidity and lack of common sense, why is it that some Filipinos love attention and to always portray as the poor victim. some employers are mean, and as an employee we have to let them know that we do not approve of it, but not to gossip about it or to badmouth the employers. Stop unrealistic demands, for crying out loud - you whiners and complainers are making ALL of Filipinos look bad. You should be ashamed of your self, you ungrateful, lazy nannies- if you are unhappy, then go home and let us - the happy, honest and hard working workers go about our lives with pride, if Canada is so bad then why stay? You just want everything to be handed out to you so easily...that is scary, if Canada will let foreign nannies come here as permanent residents then we can never weed out the deserving from the lazy. I know a lot of stories about abusive nannies and employers, so stop washing hands because we all depend on one another.
 

I totally agree with Poison Ivy..After having a bad experience with a Filipino nanny-who left our employ after 4 months (7months waiting for her), 2 weeks notice, I am eagerly awaiting a new one.I just hope she has more personallity and less attitude than our previous one! .As being self-employed for 17 years, I know there are good and bad people out there, and I am willing to take the chance again, because I have a disabled child. Yes, I have tried Canadians, but the thinking these days, where we live anyways, is not working weekends(at all) and not working during the summer with disabled chldren. Our nanny, came to Canada with a hidden agenda, she lied to the agency and to the family- she left our employ due to the fact we refused to sponsor her husband (that she married 8 days before arriving) to come to Canada, this was asked in her 2nd week of employ. In the 6th week of her employ, she asked to have an invite letter written for him to come for 6 months, live in our house, and work illegally in our comunity-all arranged by herself and other nannies in town..she left our employ 7 weeks later, to work housekeeping in a different community, as her sister -who is a government employee(unknown to us), arranged employment for both her and her husband, and helped her to get her work permit changed, etc..
I can honestly see this program being totally scrapped ..as it is, there has been some kind of hold up in getting our new nanny, which no one can explain, as she passed her medical and her passport has been at the embassy for 2 months..as usual, in Canada, 2% of a population, ruin it for the rest! It's being ruined, and the people that are going to suffer the most are their own sisters!
for the record, I don't believe a word or whats being said against Ruby Dhalla, these women were coached, they want their families brought here faster, money, and after the experience with our nanny with her racist comments towards Canadian East Indians, which shocked the heck out of us, I totally believe they are racist..interestingly, they came forward after a program on global aired about abuse, 15 months after this all happened?  

There is no human right abuses for nannies. The nannies abuse the employers - my nanny arrived to Canada, made me pay her ticket called me from Toronto airport that she has no intention to come to St-John's.. goodbye.. I could not do anything... they use the employer.. it's the Visa of Convenient. No protection for the employer. I do not believe a word of Dhalla's nannies...  

The problem with all this hype about the Live-In Caregiver Program is that Canadian families are still left vulnerable from exploitation from foreign workers.
Foreign workers and advocates has used this platform to distort the real issues. While advocates and foreign workers shout "abuse", why are the employers of these foreign workers not being investigated? Why are there no formal complaints filed against these employers by the foreign workers?
Today people have been reckless and irresponsible in using the word "abuse". Today people use the word "abuse" to justify its means. If a person is accused of abuse, there should be proof of abuse.
The stories of Newfoundlanders and K are evident that this so called abuse is not one sided. I have heard and experienced more horror stories than what Newfoundlanders and K has described.
This elderly person has a Philippine live-in nanny and she threatened the elderly person many times that she will not perform her work if she does not sponsor her sister in the Philippines. And when the sister failed the interview in the Philippines, she still threatened her even more if she does not sponsor her again.
An elderly person's Philippine live-in nanny used her VISA card to purchase her laptop, personal effects etc.
Philippine live-in nannies in Canada asking for favors from current employers to sponsor their relatives and friends to come to Canada and when in Canada, they work illegally.
Philippine line-in nanny quits employment because employers are Chinese, East Indian, etc.
A family in AB employs a Philippine live-in nanny to work for them to care for 3 children. The family lives in the rural area in AB, upon arrival the Philippine live-in nanny quit without starting employment. The poor family felt so mad that their condition and situation has been used to gain entry to Canada.
Most of the Philippine live-in nanny quit employment for various petty reasons and when you ask them why they quit, they will say it was because they have been abused. Most of them are coached by relatives, friends to tell this because they know this is a sensitive issue.
There is nothing wrong to protect the foreign workers but the government must protect Canadians as well. One must think, what if these allegations by these nannies are not true? How would you feel if you were in the shoes of Dhalla? You cannot bring back the emotional stress that these allegations has brought to this family.
Let us all not be gullible to believe that the foreign workers cannot abuse the system. The foreign workers are manipulating the system to their advantage because Canada is too lenient. Most politicians are in the band wagon of the foreign workers because they see this is an opportunity to get votes for future elections.
Canada should be careful on the path it chooses to pursue. If you are a Canadian employer that has been exploited by a foreign worker, you must inform Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Or we can make a petition so that we can be heard too.
 

Nice to see the top post above... advocates are the only ones making a loud noise about this... I want to read and hear the Nannies - that are in the program.

Canadian Families first --- this is not a human rights issue -- this is not modern day slavery --

Let us hear what the nannies really want. Advocates have been making noise since 1992. using our money -- fundings - grants etc... if this is a problem... why is it still going on?

There is an easy fix to all these problems -- I do not want our government to spend too much on this -- I rather have the advocates and their centers to deal with the so called problems -- not by scrapping it, but informing new nannies coming into the country with the information they need. A simple pamphlet given to them when they receive their TRV. Something they can read during the long flight to Canada. Upon arrival they are educated in their rights - and know who to call should they have issues.

Our grants would be better put to good use.

Go after agencies that bring them in with no jobs. Go after the relatives/friends that pay individuals "bogus" employers. Go after relatives that hire and do not pay the wages and really work them like slaves.

If one is to look at the actual numbers of those that are truely abused -- it's most likely small.

"inappropriate houshold chores" "poor working conditions" can someone define this for me?

It may just be a misunderstanding -- filipinos do everything -- it's what they have been trained to do -- that's why they are such popular choice.

Do not scrap the program just because of very few selfish individuals. Those that have come into the program and are now complaining - no loss on their end -- they are already here and secured...

Scrapping this program would affect many families in the Philippines hoping to make their dreams come true.  

Looks good on Canada as a visible minority myself with a disabled family member I have been trying for 2 years to sponsor a family member I was told by an agent that the best person for the job is someone from the Philippine, why do Canadians think that they are the best workers , it's mostly people from the Philippines who are complaining about abuse "give me a break' I worked as a live in caregiver many years ago and had no problem with my boss ,as a matter of fact I stayed with the family for 12yrs .Twelve wonderful years ,these days everyone wants to come to Canada not knowing that everyone has to work for a living.

I believe most of the Pilippino workers are abusing the system.Filipinos are not the best workers in this Country,all Canadians who wants to have a good life have to work very living.I believe most of these nannies are liars and use their employer to get to Canada,that is unfair.
Here is a solution put them on the next flight to Philippines.
Start hiring people from other countries .  

just a footnote to my post above. I wrote one letter and sent it the the immigration minister, my premier, and my mla. I was in contact with service canada, who seemed to have no problem with the situation and were even rude when explaining to me that my nanny could change her work permit anytime she wanted! Contracts or not. I received no response from the immigration minister, nor the premier. My mla's office responded and told me the LCP is being abused by many Filipino's. It is the standard for them to call "abuse" to get work permits changed faster.Funny, that never makes the news. It has also come to my attention there will be an attachment on upcoming employment contracts, its very vague, but wants the employer to sign a paper, from the Filipine Government, that the employer will pay transportation costs. It is in fact, so vague, that one could be responsible for paying for your caregivers holidays. It is as follows:
ADDENDUM TO THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
(To be attached to the Employment Contract)
1. Employer shall bear the cost of transportation from place of origin to
destination and back, during the period of employment;

so, I say congratulations, we are in a recession, and people that really need caregivers are going to be forced to pay all the flights, and who knows what else? And wait 6months to 2 years? My MLA told me that the government is thinking of cancelling the program due to all this bad press. They won't have to, I think these "chosen few" are going to be responsible for the LCP tightening up so much that it won't exist in a couple years.Do you think your sisters in the Philipines looking for a better life are proud of you?  

You are all bunch of racists againts filipinos!! You probably abused or take advantage of the weak..Filipinos always fight for their rights!!!  

My experience with a Filipino nanny: during interview she said that she loves kids, in reality she never initiated a conversation with my kids, let alone initiate a game or activity. During interview she said that she can cook all kinds of dishes and that her favourite activity when off is cooking, in reality she couldn’t make even mash potato right. During interview she said she does not have relatives in Canada, in reality she had a bunch of cousins (I do not know why she lied on this one). During weekdays she was depressed and looking like someone really close died, on Friday she was as happy as the bride on the wedding day. So, I am going Chinese. My Chinese caregiver plays piano, teaches my kids to speak Chinese, play piano and draw. She cooks healthier food than me and my kids actually eat the food. She makes some fantastic Chinese crafts with the kids. On top of that, I love talking to her myself because she is really smart.  

Let’s compare:
A skilled immigrant with years of experience in technology a master or a PhD degree pays thousands of dollar for application fees and the right for permanent resident, also waits 4 to 5 years to get his visa to Canada. When he is finally here, he rents an apartment for him and family for an average of $ 1000, pays utilities and food. At the same time he works months for minimum wage until he finds a job according to his experience. Some of the work done includes McDonalds or cab driver.
A Filipino nanny can come to Canada in as little as 5 to 6 months if they arrive from anywhere else except Philippines (it takes up to 2 years to get a visa there but still a lot less than a skilled immigrant). They pay $ 150 in application fees. Yes, some have a college or university degree but most have always worked as housekeepers or nanny. Pay a mere $ 368 a month for both room and board and after all are not happy. Yes, I understand that Canadian families need caregivers sometimes even faster than 5 to 6 months and something should be done with that but enough concern about citizens of other countries.
These people are willing to say anything and promise you the moon before they arrive in Canada. When they are here it becomes another story! How easy it is to start screaming “abuse” since is so convenient and it might get them to extend their visa or get landed immigrant status quicker.  

Flip Rock, this is not racism against Filipinos but against THOSE who are ruining the good reputation of the hard working Filipinos. Shame on them who come in here to complain and whine.

Just learned about this last night:
Elderly lady requiring 24 hour care but not live in because she is in a private facility. The company just learned that the lady paid out over $45,000.00 to caregivers - she bought the sad stories and has been manipulated.
Caregiver one when asked, said it was a gift ($30,000.00 cheque?) This caregiver said about her son being kidnapped and requires ransom and later on he "escaped" unharmed. Well, now we know how she managed to build a mini hotel in a resort back in Boracay.
Another caregiver, for same poor old lady - got $15,000.00 cheque, because she told the old lady, over and over that she is so depressed because she doesn't have a car, coz hers has broken down and therefore could not drive her kids to school or wherever.

This is what I am against with. The users, manipulators, racist, gossiper Filipino caregivers, shame on you. You give Filipinos the bad name - you should go back where you belong.

The relatives and friends of the Filipino caregivers and nannies who always influence, compare employers and tell their friends and relatives to quit --- shut up. You know nothing and you are stupid. To the complainers and whiners -- shut up. If you can't come forward to your employers with all your concerns, then shut up. Don't let others decide for you and don't involve them as they know nothing about the situation. For all we know, you have faults as well. And since you can not get what you want (because your other friends have it), you find faults against your employer to justify your whining and complaining.

Filipinos are good workers. And those ones who think they are smarter and they act as if they know all the solutions --- triple shut up!!!! or go home. Leave your relatives alone to deal with the situation. Leave your friends alone to fix her own mess. Look at yourself and mind your own. BE thankful you are in Canada because Canada is such a beautiful country and offers opportunity that is not available in the Philippines. So be thankful and be humble, instead of going to the mall and buying expensive stuff - go do something productive. You keep complaining the income is not enough and yet you get laptops and nice cellphones on top of your list. Shut shut shut up.  

Flip Rock you are just an ignorant Filipino that condones this bad behaviour of Filipinos.
Im a FIlipino too but I can tolerate that things that other Filipinos do and this has nothing to do with being a Filipino. If a an employers abuses a nanny then this is not right but with all this things happening there is no advocate for Canadian employers.
While the politicians are jumping on the bandwagon for future votes and the advocates for the nannies are shouting abuse. None is being heard about Canadian families that have been abused by Filipino nannies. This must be heard. We have to voice our displeasure for such acts.
The nannies are complaining about minimum wage salaries but what about other Canadians earning minimum wage as well. If they despise their condition in Canada then they should go home and stop the complaining. These nannies are using our system for their benefits. Our tax money to pursue their own agendas (easy work with more pay - laziness). These foreign nationals have never in their life paid as much taxes as I have and they are using this to change our policies and laws. This is very unfair.
I suggest that if you know of other Canadian families that has been falsely preyed by these nannies to come up and let us make a petition to the government. Let us show these nannies and advocates that we do not stand these behaviour. These advocates are so radical that they are like dogs waiting to devour another poor Canadian family at the shout of abuse from another nanny.
Let's voice out as well, here is my email and let us communicate and speak to the government and voice our sentiments. philip.pines@live.ca  

As a caregiver, I never complain of whatever my situation is as long as my employers are treating me well.But some Filipinos prefer easy jobs thats why they complain a lot. Shame on to those Filipino live in nannies you made a stain on our behalf.  

I agree to your comment waji...I'm also a live-in caregiver and now waiting for my open work permit and permanent residence approval. But I'm still happy to continue working for them for they treat me as part of thier family and a friend. Things are getting tough in the immigration because of all this issues. It's would really be better if they review/revise the program and be fair to both employee and employer.. I personally think that there are lots of flaws in LCP. I've been working for my employer for more than 2 years now, we have good relationship so far. Before I start with them we discuss about having open communication and respect. It's also a "give and take" situation, the problem is that some employees only wants to take as well as some other employers which makes the situation worst. I'm sad for those who are being abused but hope for them to step up in the right way.

I just want other people to be also fair to those who are hard working and not to speak bad stuff about Filipinos in general.  

My unmarried nanny got pregnant -- lied to me about the due date and left with no notice. But I've had great experiences with relief nannies -- all philipinas. In my interviewing experience, I did meet some nannies who did not want to work for me because of their prejudices. So definitely racism runs both ways -- as does the abuse.  

On the Immigration web site the Canadian Government says that the live in care giver is someone who:
"was approved to participate in the Live-in Caregiver Program at a visa office outside of Canada; and,
has a valid work permit to work as a live-in caregiver for children, seniors or the disabled with an employer in Canada." http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5290E.asp (July 5th).
But the employers expect to them to do everything in the house such as:
clean the windows glasses, parents laundry, to work on the garden, take care of the pets, etc. Jobs that are not related with the main idea of the program.
If a live in caregiver has a contract to take care of kids, why does she have to clean the parents bathroom? If the parents need a maid the have to pay for someone else to do the job. Lets use the common sense now, if you have a sore throat, where do you have to call to make an appointment on a dentist or on your doctors office? If you need a maid why would you hire a nanny ?

 

First: I think that comparing a caregiving job with a doctor's job is a little too much.
Second: what should the nanny do when kids are at school for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week? Do you suggest that the nanny should be paid anyway for those hours, even though she does nothing?
Not all the kids require non stop attention and care and I believe that is fair to ask someone that you are paying to do something during the time she is paid. Those of us working outside the home are asked all the time to do tasks that are not in the job description.  

Maria Mercedes before you make a comment it would be wise to think first. All occupation has unrelated duties that are attached to the job description. A Nurse's Aide does not mean that they are an aide to the Nurse. A Dietary Aide does not mean that their work is only limited to dietary work and a Food Counter Attendant does not mean they will only handle food. Have you seen workers in McDonald wash the floors, mop, clean tables etc. What planet do you live? I guess Planet Lazy.
Just like "for Maria Mercedes" wrote "Do you suggest that the nanny should be paid anyway for those hours, even though she does nothing?". Or even better would you REALLY pay someone to just sit and do nothing. You may have a maid in the Philippines, would you pay your maid in the Philippines for not doing anything.
Canada has provided many, many foreign workers a better opportunity in life. This is the reason many foreign workers come to Canada to seek better opportunities that they cannot get in their home countries. Instead of the foreign workers being grateful and thankful for the opportunity being provided by Canada, they have the audacity to complain and command the Canadian government what is better for them, that they should be paid top dollar for doing nothing. The fact that they have never paid any taxes is an insult to all Canadians. If one feels that Canada is a place so despicable, I suggest they leave Canada.
Life is very simple Maria, don’t make it complicated. If you feel Canada is abusing you personally, or your friends or relatives, then leave Canada. But if you choose to stay in Canada and complain, you are just one lazy person and you are using the system as an excuse. You are just a lazy person that wants to be paid for doing nothing.
Not all Canadian families are rich and if you expect Canadian families to pay you for not doing anything then you are mistaken. People in Canada work hard for their money and you will never get what you want.
The Canadian government must really be careful in allowing persons with these types of attitude and mentality. This can ruin a great country.
 

Poison Ivy, I think you are not filipino....coz you are not acting like one....maybe they just told you to make a harsh comment or you just despise us (live in nannies).  

Humble what does it mean to be a Filipino? Because if condoning negative mentality and attitude is being a Filipino then there is definitely something wrong.
Humble do you really feel that Canada is really unfair to you? Do you really feel that Canadian families are taking advantage of live-in nannies? Because if you do then what are you still doing in Canada? Why don’t you try working in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan or even the Middle East? Be respectful to people that are really being abused. In Hong Kong, a Domestic Helper gets only half a day on Sunday as a day-off. In Taiwan and Singapore it’s once a month and many do not even get a day-off and in the Middle East, forget that you have a day-off. Do you know how many hours they all work, at least a minimum of 14 hours a day and they do not have any rights at all. In my opinion, this is abuse. You come to Canada, you automatically get 2 days off. You may work a bit longer say 10 to 12 hours a day but it will never be as difficult as those women that work in countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the Middle East.

In Canada you have the luxury to:
1. Call your friends and relative while at work and being paid by your employers.
2. Sit and do nothing while your employer is out of the house while being paid by your employers.
3. Chit chat and send text message in the park while the children you care for wander around with no supervision, because you are laughing and giggling with your friends while you are being paid by your employers.
4. Do you vacuum for 8 hours?
5. Do you do laundry for 8 hours?
6. Do you mop and dust for 8 hours?
7. Browse the internet while at work and being paid by your employers.
8. Work illegally on your days off.
9. Be employed by a relative and work elsewhere illegally.
10. Asking favour from their own employers to pretend to employ their relative and friends outside Canada.
11. Relatives posing as employers to facilitate entry for a relative and friends.
These are just a few examples of the things that Canada and the employers do not even complain about live-in nannies.

 

Humble if you or your friends have worked in countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the Middle East, have you ever complained in those country of abuse? Did you ever confront your employers or protested in public of the abuse? And if you have not, why? Do you really honestly feel your condition in Canada is even worse in those countries? When you go for interviews why do you choose not to work for families such as Chinese, East Indian etc. and only choose to work for Caucasian families even though you have never met the family? In Canada, this attitude and mentality is called racism and prejudice.

You and every live-in nanny came to Canada on your own decision and Canada never forced you to come and work here. Don’t complain while you still stay in Canada and reap the benefit and opportunities given to you by this great country. Canada has provided you with all these opportunities and in return instead of being thankful and grateful you have the audacity to complain and use the word “abuse” to benefit your own agenda.

The reasons Canadians need a live-in nanny is because there is a need for people to manage their home and care for their children and elderly. If this need is gone because of this so called “abuse’, be careful of what you wish for because if this time comes that would be the day when this program will not exist and let us see what the future will bring to you. This is the reason immigration has enforced deporting foreign workers at the airport. Ask who suffers now? You have a great opportunity in Canada if you are smart but you choose to listen to people that will bring you down. You should be thankful and grateful and HUMBLE that you have a job and opportunity. If being a nanny you are already complaining of your work, what kind of work will you do that is easy once you become a permanent resident? Working in McDonalds is definitely not easy.

If you were in the Philippines, what would you be doing?

I am a Filipino too but I totally despise these types of mentality and attitude. It is people like you that make Filipinos look bad.
 

Our nanny left us shortly after we settled her down here in Canada. We have done everything by the law and have always treated the her with respect and courtesy. Even though we were not satisfied with her work and had thoughts of firing her, we decided to keep her till the end of the contract because the agent told us that it would be very hard for the nanny if they got fired and have to spend a few months without pay while looking for a new job. We were very surprised when we got the 2 weeks' resignation notice from our nanny, and we didn't understand why, the reasons she gave were: not feeling happy and comfortable at our home, misses her children and feels lonely, there are more housework than childcare, she prefers to do more childcare so she would miss less her own children. The fact is there is not that much work in our home, since my husband and I both work from home, we spent quite sometime taking care of our toddler even when the nanny is there. We felt quite frustrated about our nanny's short noticed resignation, and we also found out that employers like us are not protected at all from this kind of situation. We have spent a lot time and energy to got the nanny here, then taught her to do many things since she has only worked for Chinese families before and had no clue about working with a western family. And then after she quite, we have more paper work to do on top of the busy schedule caused by her departure! We are not a rich family, we decided to hire a live in nanny so we would be able to cope with our work and keep our toddler at home instead of sending her to daycare. We thought by sponsoring someone from the philippines we are providing a great opportunity for this person, and we specifically chose some one with 3 kids, thought she will be able to bring her children here after a few years and iive a much better life in Canada. Unfortunately the person we hired didn't have any consideration for us, now our life is completely disrupted, we have to wait for (uncertain about how long)another nanny, in the mean time, we have to cancel quite a few work related projects. Fortunately we are self employed and have some fliexibiliities with our time, imaging those who have a regular job. It is so hard to get childcare in this country these days! We have been feeling bad wondering what we have done wrong to lose a nanny in such a short time and how our friends would think about us since all the stories we have heard are about nannies being abused by employers. I feel much better after reading the posting here, it made me realize that we are not alone, there are actually quite some employers got abused by their caregivers. Hope one day there will be some kind of law or regulations protecting the employers in this situation.  

CKLR I have heard many stories just like yours. Unfortunately, the government has done nothing to these individuals that have abused the system at the expense of Canadian families’ genuine needs.

I have also heard that majority of the foreign workers under the Live-In Caregiver Program are being counselled by relatives, friends and advocate on how to use the system for their own benefit before and after they arrive in Canada.

If you observe the past news from Dhalla and other sad nanny stories that has never been investigated, you see a trend of employer bashing on the media. If you observe all the allegations that the nannies have complained about their employers, none of the employers have been either investigated, questioned or requested to provide the employers side of the story. All the report from the media was biased. And if you watch the reports on the newspaper and tv, you feel horrible being an employer of the live-in nanny.

The media and advocates blame Canadian families for separating the nannies from their families, cheap labor, abusive etc. But what the media fails to report is that these ladies are all mature individuals and they made a decision to work in Canada. They knew that they will be separated from their families before they submitted an application for work permit. I do not understand the media branding CAD $ 8.00 per hour as cheap labour. Unfortunately, CAD $ 8.00 per hour is the minimum wage in BC. If the foreign workers feel that they are being underpaid then the government should send them home. Give the foreign workers a choice, either they stay and get paid CAD $ 8.00 per hour and stop complaining. One should think that they may never earn this type of wage if they were to work in their own country. There are Canadians and permanent residents are earning minimum wage as well. But do we hear them complain? Where are their lawyers and advocates? How come there is no non-profit organization supporting our fellow Canadians and permanent residents that are earning minimum wage? Why are our politician not voicing or protecting Canadians and permanent residents that are earning minimum wage? Are the politicians riding the band wagon of the ethnic groups for future votes? You should see and hear how many politicians were backing the foreign workers. These are the same politicians that you and I have voted for and it is our tax money that is being wasted.

We should voice our concern to the government especially to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, on how they should protect Canadians from foreign workers. While I would believe that there is abuse on both sides. I totally agree that there should be protection to foreign workers but it should be fair as well to protect Canadian employers too. Right now there is no voice from the employers. The government may not know that there is a trend of abuse from the foreign workers. There has been an increasing trend of foreign workers using Canadian families for the purpose of just getting into Canada.

If the advocates and nanny organization has recommended a Nanny Hotline for abusive employers, then the government should create an Employer Hotline for foreign workers that has abuse the system and Canadian families too. These Nanny Hotline is being created from our tax dollar.

 

I have never seen a country that has been asked by temporary residents to changes its laws and system to accommodate them and their own request. In other countries, these types of behaviour by temporary residents will never be tolerated. I have even heard the foreign workers under the Live-In Caregiver Program are demanding the Canadian government that they become permanent resident upon arrival in Canada. If this happens, then would these workers work as a live-in nanny? How can foreign nationals persuade the government to change its laws? This is crazy! We should voice our displeasure and we should demand that Canadian families be heard first. We should report that Canadian families are being abused by foreign workers just to gain entry to Canada. If you know other employers that have been abused by foreign workers kindly email us and we should make a petition to the government. My email is philip.pines@live.ca.  

If you have more than two children under the age of 8 then a live in care giver is a good option if both parents work. Figure you had a 3, 5 and 8 year old. Full time day care for the 3 year plus hald day and before and after school for the 5 year old and before and after school care for the 8 year old. That's about $600-$800 a month for the 3 year old, $400-$500 for the 5 year old and $200-$300 for the 8 year old. That's $1200-$1600. A live in care give would cost around that and provide other services like cleaning their clothes making their lunches, etc.  

It is a good option only if you had a good care giver who stays. It costs quite some time and money to sponsor someone from overseas, and in most cases the employer never even meet the person before hiring them, and this person is going to live in your house and take care of your children.
I am not sure that it cost less to have a live in nanny at minimum 8$/h, minimum 40h a week and 12$ for overtime than to have a local nanny who charges 10-15 dollar an hour for only the time you need. The employer of a live in nanny need also to pay for them federal tax, insurances, pension contribution etc. as well as all the public holidays and 2 weeks' annual leave in addition to subsidize their accommodations since the deduction is only $300..  

The live-in caregiver program should be diversified to include candidates from other countries such as China, India and Mexico. The main problem now with the program is that it relied too much on one single source country which is the Philippines and that totally contradicts with what the Canadian government aspires to be - a multi-cultural society.  

As someone who is on their 2nd nanny, philipino, and who waited 8-10 months for each, for a disabled family member, I totally agree with Susan Taylor. The Philipino community simply figured out our easy immigration system a long, long time ago. If you think anything else, you are as niave as I was after our experience with our first nanny, who left after 3 months for the philipino community in the big city.. Personnally, I think the Philipino community in Canada invented "networking". These girls are 'coached' even before arriving in Canada on what to do and say to us employers and our government if they want to change jobs. In the first month of our nanny's employment, she was offerred a job by another agency, actually it was 2 jobs, and she was told she could have her work permit changed in a week, and live in a house with 6 other philipino caregivers- a relative of hers is doing this right now-and working 3 jobs. This is illegal under the live in caregiver program. She was given instructions on what to say to us, ie: "if they say this, you say that, " etc, and what she was to tell immigration, which was 'abuse'. Another friend of hers, told her to get her first paycheck and leave, as she also had another job for her, her friend had been in canada for 2 months, and told her to 'think of herself, canadians are rich'. Not only is this program flawed, the ability to change work permits so easily is flawed, most of these agencies are corrupt and I truly believe after reading some articles in the Toronto Star-may 09, that many that work at service canada/immigration are getting kickbacks from these agencies. I, personally, am tired of these 'one way' stories of abuse, these girls know which agencies offer 'ghost employers' before they even apply to these agencies, but they still take the risk just to come here because canada is the easy country in work permits,immigration, when they get caught, they cry abuse from the agency.
I believe there is much more abuse of employers, I am sure it is a startling statistic. I would really love to hear on the news stories from the employers side, instead of the cargivers side, because I personnally don't believe any of these stories anymore- its too tightknit of a community, and they invented 'networking'. I don't know what kind of agreement the philipino government has with our country, but economy wise, with the amount of money that gets sent back to the philipines from these women working in canada into the philipine economy, well, it must be a heck of a lot. I assume that women working outside the country are contributing to most of its economy, its the only explanation as to why our government ignores its own citizens complaints.
I would also like to say to these families that do not wait like the rest of us do for caregivers, but get in contact and pay these agencies to find them nannys already in canada, who in turn, will pay their girls if one of their friends dumps the family that waited months for them to come, that you totally disgust me, and should be ashamed to call yourself Canadian.
In the end, if things do not work out with this caregiver, although after 9 months I think they will, I would never hire a Philipino for anything-too many stories out there, sorry, Canadians network too. I have the name and contact information of this agency, and relative (who forged some of her documents by the way) which I wouldn't even know who to give it to, as I don't believe anything would be done, I have lost my faith in my niave government.  

As I read all the comments, all I can say not all Filipino are bad, not all Canadian are good as well. The employer and the nanny must have a good relationship.
I was a caregiver in Taiwan for total of 6 years. Yes it is very difficult because I can't speak Mandarin at the very first, the secret to work as a nanny is love your work.
The work that I had is not easy but as long as I have privacy that's okay. For almost 1 year I don't have they off aside from being Nanny, I also clean the language school that owned by my employer at night from 7pm to 10 pm. then when I get home the 1 yr old kid will sleep with me.
Some Nanny believe that to work abroad or to foreign country is easy.......
Yes the employer believe that they pay the nanny to work for them like visa and ticket but they don't know I also pay much just to get the job that is agency all about.
On this story in about Canadian employer and a Filipino worker it is very unusual. Filipinos are hardworking and they always fight their rights, if what is written in the contract that should be followed.... I believe to have an respect is very important to remain the good relationship of both parties.

Like I've said not all Filipinos are bad and not all Canadian are good as well.

I am a victim of a Canadian.... After my 6 yrs of work in Taiwan, I applied in Hongkong last 2007, I was hired and my papers started on process...
While waiting on my visa, I met a Canadian man on the net. He phoned me always and emailed me telling that he wants to come to Philippines, On 2 weeks of knowing each other from the net. He came here, asking me to marry me and also he asked me to give up my work coz he will support me and bring me to Canada. When he was here, he don't have enough money on his wallet, it is like his money will last only for 1 week in Manila. Since I have my savings, I used my money... It was really a big mistake, in short we get married for a short period of time. It was a simple wedding attended by 12 people with my parents, the money that I paid to my agency for Hongkong was not refunded to me.

After 21 days he came back to his home country and we start the papers works at the Canadian Embassy. Oh by the way- the wedding ring it was me who bought it for us.
Yes he send me money but it was not enough to cover all the expenses and also not enough for the papers work .. like medical and etc. Again I used my own savings.
after 4 months he visited me here with a money of 300 Canadian, he stayed here for 3 months, even his extension visa it was me who paid for it for 2 times... Yes he asked some money from his mother-"borrow''but still not enough.
I supported him when he was here, my saving was all gone, he was very rude, since the Filipino culture is patient and since he is my husband , I tried to understand him.
After 3 months he went back home. my papers are not approve yet that time. We got married Feb 2008,
Jan 2009, he received an email from embassy for the landing fee, all he did was emailed me and asking me to send him money .. half of the landing fee and so as the airfare- but I did not send coz all my saving was gone, and why would I to send him when he is the sponsor.
Last Feb 2009 we had just very small misunderstanding, then he emailed the embassy canceling his sponsorship. It was really painful and I am very disappointed, I give up my work just to marry him, he accompanied with me to my agency that time when I give up my work , and he dictated me what to wrote on a withdrawal letter to my agency.,.. I trust him and of course I love him that is why I marry him... but it was very painful coz he is a user.. even my son saving he borrowed it and not being paid, all my saving was gone, as a single mother I work hard so that I can support my son financially but this Canadian man ruined my life so much.
He is a USER.....A LEECH.

 

Hi Iron woman, you married someone who you met on the internet for only two weeks and you say you loved him! Big liar! I know there are many Philippino woman who came to Canada or USA through marriage of convenience, those woman are worse than the whores! All you talked out in your posting is Money! I am very glad the "bad Canadian" husband of yours cancelled his sponsorship so we don't have someone like to come to our country and take advantage of our system.  

Hello good Canadian, Take advantage, how can u say I am taking advantage? The man I am married is from rehab for 6 yrs and even a car he don't own, when he was in my home town he can use my car and so as my bike like his own..

The Jerk Canadian, I was married was a leech.. My all saving from my work in Taiwan was gone. He eat free here... he is such a user. Yes, I loved him that time that is why I trust him and spend my all my money. He is bad, coz when he was here, he asked me to where to buy drugs, one night in one just a little misunderstanding , he went to the club and get some slut.

Well, If you know .. I give up my work in Hongkong-whom I spent 2,500 in your currency just to marry him. How can u say I am taking advantage.. are u that crazy?

Even my sons savings he borrowed it and promised to pay it, but his gone. That man such a a user.

Yes I talked out on money coz that what the Canadian did to me. Even the wedding rings that worth.38,000 in peso or 1,000 Canadian. it was me who bought it.
He is such a monkey user...He was the one who asked me to marry me coz as what he said even on his email he loves me, but only fooled me... Grrrr.. why those men, marry a Filipina lady? and what are there reason? is to have slave right?

Well, to let u know all the money that I had is from my hard work being A nanny in Taiwan. Can't u read and can't u understand what I am posting on here?
 

More for u Good Canadian,

After the jerk Canadian canceled my papers to the embassy, he emailed again to embassy that he regret it wanted to continue the process.. " See how crazy he is?" do u think the embassy will listen to him? he emailed me asking for apology, wow it's too late, the damaged had been done.. I am glad I am not in Canada coz I am happy now in Australia with the help of my Aunties and from my grandparents is USA...  

I worked as a nanny in Canada. I have university degree and my experience was a nightmare. I unfortunately had to cope with harassment, abuse, disrespect and humiliation only because I wanted my canadian residency. Beside my regular responsibilities as prepare meals for the children and entire family, drive children to school and extra activities, to help with home work and school projects, (SHAME on parents!! They do not want time with their OWN children!!) I had to babysit until the children are in bed even if the parents were home. (Parents refuse to take care of their own children!!! SHAME!!) and babysit when parents were traveling or out of home for business or parties, even when children were high fever, asma! Also take children to dentist and physician.(should not parents take their own children??! What a SHAME!! Beside groceries, laundry (for the entire family and also relatives!!, clean and organize the house, including all bedrooms and bathrooms, washing outside windows, even with negative temperatures!. Take and pick-up dry-clean. Shoveling snow, washing cars, take care of pets, including feed, brush, and remove excrement.
The long hours were not paid and most of my job was not caregiving activities. It was a pure slavery!!.)SHAME on Canadian government!! I will defend caregivers, I felt in my own skin the abuse, humiliation, sexual harrasment and the violation of the human rights. I will right my own history as a caregiver. I lost 3 years if my life! I have horrible memories that I will never forget! I am traumatized! The programme is a legalized SLAVERY!!!  

Human Rights if you hate Canada this bad, then why dont you go home? See this is the problem, many people complain about their work as a Live-In Caregiver yet they stay. If Canada was really this bad, then why dont you go back to your country. Why stay here? This I never understand. You had the chance to leave your employment but you never did. You complain about the Canadian government but yet your still here.
You claim you have a unversity degree, then why did you apply as a nanny and worked for 3 years. If you found out after one month that this Canadian family you are alledging to have abused is abusing you, why stay? Its easy to shout abuse to get sympathy but it requires a lot to prove abuse. You even claim sexual abuse and violation of human rights, but you never to complained to anyone. Why did you not go to the police or to the Ministry of Labor? I find that very strange.  

with all the comments i read, i have second thought to work in canada through the live-in program.In nature Filipinos really are hardworking and know how to find ways to uplift the present condition coz of the effect of global crisis. we can conquered poverty by not merely go to other countries, why not cultivate the resources we have by rhe knowledge we gain thru education, God give us a peculiar talents so why should we go to foreign lands that define filipino as maid, as caregiver etc.This is a wake up calls to all Filipinos, stand with our own, don't let foreign citizen to manipulate our human resources,,,  

Mari so now it does not feel right. Canadians feel the same thing when Filipinos generalize that all Canadians are abuser. You are in the Philippines, it is your decision to go to any country in the world to work because there is no work in the Philippines.
Majority of the countries in the world does not offer the same liberty of free speech. When Filipinos come to Canada they abuse this freedom to their advantage and portray themselves as abused or victim to get their permanent resident status. Filipinos go to the media to claim their difficult situation that Canada has separated them from their families, when in fact it was their own decision to come to Canada and was never recruited or forced to work in Canada.
I admire your decision to say that you do not want to come to Canada because of all the comments, but most of the Filipinos in Canada will complain about everything but will never leave Canada. Filipinos much like Human Rights blame Canada of despicable abuse and claims of trauma, but will never leave Canada.
This is why many Canadians questions their claim of abuse, they have exploited Canadian just to get to Canada and when they arrive in Canada they leave the families that have assisted and helped them because of petty reasons, such as the place of employment was far from her relatives or just because the family belongs to an ethnic group that they are fully aware before entering Canada. Filipinos will tell you that they do not want to work for Chinese, East Indian etc. This is how the Filipinos use the Canadian families and the system to work for them.
It is sad but this is the reality.  

This is sad but true...we have friends that hired a fillipino nanny - who sexual abused two young children (under 3) and welcomed her fillipino friends (males, later findings from neighbours and admissions from children) into the home to sexual abuse them. They were making a profit for this - its larger than anyone has figured out yet.
Anyone hiring nannies should get cameras to monitor whats happening to their precious children...thats the ONLY thing that counts here.
Watch your children, I urge you!  

just for the record..everybody should shut the hell up and start looking on both sides.this is the reality of life and no one should judge anybody. there is abuse goin on out there both by the employee and the employers and instead of judging and arguing and saying bad stuff against each other everybody should juz shut up and learn to accept the fact. of course there's racism out there too. but its not just filipino who do it everybody from different country do it too so dont say its all just filipino who do it.and why is it canadians still get filipino nannies and caregivers if they are not a good workers? i guess its bcoz they know that filipinos are good workers. and yeah maybe theres some rotten filipino workers out there. but there is a lot of good filipino workers out there too. and sometimes all this good filipinos are the one who get abuse bcoz they are afraid to stand up for themself. so dont judege them when they do put their put down and start complaining bcoz a person can just take so much. its hard to be living and working in other country and before we leave our own country we should face the fact that nothing will be the same as before anymore. but we should understand too to do our job to the best of our ability and look forward to the future by being patient and doin our job with dignity.

and for all this people who say that maybe theres no abuse, well maybe you should start thinking that maybe there is. and dont just judge the person right away bcoz to tell you the truth sometimes even your own relative that pose as your employer is the one who abuse you. just bcoz you are their relative and they bring you over. so if they can do it to you what more other employer. everybody should start opening their mind.

and for the record when somebody shout abuse.government should start looking at it and have an investigation to prove whose stating the truth and abuser should pay whether its the employee or the employer bcoz everybody have the same right as everyone in this country it doesnt matter if your an immigrant or not. we all have a right and we should fight for it but learn to respect other peoples right too.

so stand up for your right but dont shout abuse too unless you have evidence and you can prove it. and everybody should stop saying bad stuff against filipinos bcoz you have no idea who your hurting with the stuff your saying. dont generalize us.all of us are human beings it doesnt matter if your a chinese,east indians,americans etc. were all human and we all have the same right.  

I am so helpless because I have changed 5 nannies they all pretend that they are dumb and suddendly on weekends they get glowies and smart and hitech. They are such a big put up. I have no other choice but to try another one. I agree that canada is bit baised for some countries for live care giver program. Stop phillipino nannies, they abuse and then balme our system.  

I know a filipino care giver for a senior. She is lazy and not working out. She took the job as a caregivver to get into Canada and work the system. Yes I am a filipino and she herself told me she came here to try and get into Canada and now she wants to leave (this really good family who has treated her like a part of the family) and work some where else. When I hear this from my filipino friends I am ashamed that they use Canada and abuse their system. If I say so myself these people should stay home where they belong so they dont make it worse for us who really want to live and stay in Canada and look after the elderly and treat them with compassion. I agree with the other comments everyone has rights but when my own people do it and brag about it.
I am ashamed when they abuse a senior, for they have rights too. .  

Philip Pines: I truly applaud your objective take on the LCP. I am currently writing an article to uphold Employers' Rights. I am also going to reveal some "abuses" that some nannies do for their own selfish benefit. One particular topic not mentioned, but surely, quite common: some nannies using their "bait" technique on their employers' husband sexually. This is quite common in Hong Kong, I have heard.
I am a Filipino-Canadian and not a racist toward my own kind. However, I do not want them to perpetuate their simpleton way of gaining citizenship (and ruin Canadian familes in the process) and crying foul and "abuse" every time they had to do "non-contractual" jobs.
My goal in writing this article/expose on our major Toronto tabloids is to uphold our images as Filipinos in general. For all the OFW's, LC-nannies or "pok-poks working as nannies in disguise, my article shall speak of the truth and realities that you & I are all familiar with and should not lie about.
Philip Pines ... may I collude with you in writing this article??? Please e-mail me if you are interested.

Rights? I prefer the term, "priviledge" ... with that all in our minds, humility will be with us and make us appreciate what our country, the Philippines, cannot give us, yet Canada is willing to impart to us.

Nerissa Calica
calicanerissa@gmail.com  

To IRON WOMAN: i feel bad that it happened to you, but ABUSE and USE only happen to people who let that happen. You said you met the guy on the internet and 2 weeks after asked you to marry him. Well, some people fall in love easily so we can not question your love for each other. But, in any situation I think, it is VERY important to always remain smart and be ahead of the game. Why in Philippines, courting can take up to many months (and many sacrifices and secret meetings) before becoming officially a couple. Yours was so quick and too risky. There are many opportunistic people all over the world. It is unbelievable that you would just follow everything he had asked you to do - marriage, pay for everything, stop working, etc. etc. What happened to you is just a matter of poor judgement - and you play a big part in that mess as well. The BEST thing for you to do is STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, STOP BAD MOUTHING YOU "HUSBAND" (for all we know, if he has his motives of marrying you, you may have your own motives too, but pointing fingers is useless now). What you should do is start all over again, pick up the pieces, walk with head held high, and be sure TO LEARN THIS TIME. Just stop whining about what happened. It is done and you made mistake yourself. Go back to Taiwan or anywhere, some of us had to really endure years of sacrifice to achieve success and victory, never again will you fall for a promise of an easy way out. So, go home, reflect on what happened, admit your own shortcomings too, stop whining, stop using the word "ABUSIVE/USER/LEECH Canadian" if you dont want to be called STUPID Filipina - because you have faults too you know, basing on what you have just blurted out in here. It is done, start again. I know you can do it and STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, OKAY?