Etobicoke Canadian Tire Owner Fined $111,000 for TFW Program Violations
The owner of a Canadian Tire store based in Etobicoke, Ezhil Natarajan, has been fined $111,000 by the federal government for violating the guidelines of Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. The fine stems from findings of wage and job description discrepancies reported by former employees.
Details of the Violations
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the federal ministry overseeing the TFW program, determined that Natarajan, through his company Geethaezhil Inc., violated guidelines related to mismatched wages, working conditions, and job roles. Specifically, the investigation revealed that employees were not compensated as agreed upon and were assigned tasks different from those outlined in their employment offers.
- Wages did not match the listed amounts in employment offers.
- Working conditions deviated from the original job descriptions.
- Employees were assigned to roles different from those for which they were hired.
These violations resulted in Geethaezhil Inc. being deemed "ineligible" for the TFW program due to the unpaid fine, a status reflected in a public database monitoring employer compliance. CBC News reported on the initial allegations of mistreatment and poor working conditions that triggered the ESDC investigation.
Former Employees' Allegations
The ESDC's final decision in July followed allegations made by two former employees of the Etobicoke Canadian Tire branch. They claimed to CBC News that they experienced mistreatment, poor working conditions, and were paid less than their agreed-upon wages by Natarajan. These allegations prompted further scrutiny into the store's labor practices. The Ontario Ministry of Labour has also launched an ongoing investigation into Natarajan's practices.
Canadian Tire's Response
Canadian Tire has not yet responded to requests for comment. However, the company's website states that individual stores are independently owned and operated. Each store has the "sole and exclusive right to interview, select, hire and train their staff." This indicates that the corporation views hiring and labor relations as the responsibility of the individual store owners.
Former Workers Speak Out
Rowell Pailan, a former employee hired through the TFW program, stated he was initially offered a full-time store supervisor position but had his hourly pay reduced from $20 to $16.50. He alleged that Natarajan privately informed him of the change and threatened termination if he disclosed it. Another worker, Jhan Cresencio, claimed Natarajan shouted at him in a derogatory manner after he lent his key to a colleague. Cresencio later obtained an open work permit designed for vulnerable workers facing abuse or risk of abuse.
Pailan and Cresencio have since moved to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, respectively, in pursuit of other opportunities. Upon learning of the fine, Pailan expressed relief, stating, "I'm so happy that we got justice...Maybe for now, he'll think twice...for not doing this to the future employees."
Recruitment Agency Involvement
Pailan also revealed that he paid $7,900 US (approximately $10,000 Cdn) to an Alberta-based recruitment agency, Allison Jones Consulting and AJ Immigration Group, to secure his job at the Canadian Tire store. In June, the province fined these companies $165,000 in eight cases, including Pailan's, for illegally charging workers for job placements. The companies are appealing these decisions, according to owner Allison Jones.
