A hotel chain in Manitoba has been instructed to compensate three foreign workers with over $100,000 collectively after the province’s labor board dismissed the company’s appeal. The Western Star Inn & Suites failed to provide supporting documentation for its claims against the employees at its Melita location and presented unreliable witnesses, as stated in the labor board’s decision issued on Tuesday.
The ruling came after a series of hearings last summer where the labor board heard testimonies revealing issues such as extended work hours, stressful work environments, and inadequate training and staffing. Previous reports by CBC News had highlighted the plight of foreign workers at the hotel chain, with some individuals working seven days a week for up to 12 hours daily.
One of the affected workers, Victor Padilla Ruiz from Mexico, had expressed feeling exploited by the hotel, alleging promises of assistance with legal status in Canada went unfulfilled. While witnesses raised concerns about unmet promises regarding work permits and safety, the labor board’s jurisdiction was limited to Manitoba labor code violations and unpaid wages.
During the proceedings, witnesses called by Western Star attempted to dispute the workers’ claims but were deemed unreliable by the board. The payroll manager’s statements were described as illogical and inconsistent with proper operational practices.
The board highlighted the lack of essential witnesses presented by Western Star and noted discrepancies in the company’s management practices. In a related development, the company was declared ineligible to hire temporary foreign workers due to outstanding penalties. Immigration and Citizenship Canada identified the hotel chain among non-compliant employers for breaching regulations related to hiring foreign nationals.
Individual compensations were calculated based on employment agreements and labor standards, with Padilla Ruiz set to receive over $86,500, while the other two workers, Montserrat Del Toro and Rajbinder Gill Mathias, were due approximately $23,100 and $28,300, respectively. Del Toro, a Mexican national employed irregularly and below minimum wage, was also awaiting a decision on outstanding wages earned in Saskatchewan.
Gill Mathias, who came to Canada from India, highlighted challenges faced by immigrant workers and emphasized the need for stronger measures to regulate employer conduct. The labor board’s decision underscored the importance of upholding labor standards and ensuring fair treatment of all workers.
