Temporary foreign worker stuck picking bottles in Fort Macleod

Bottlepicking isn't what Myla Nahe had in mind when she came to Canada to find work to support her family in Philippines, but it's her only source of income these days.

About a year and a half ago, Nahe started work as a maid at a hotel in Fort Macleod, about 170 kilometres south of Calgary.

The contract said she'd be working 40 hours per week, at $12.75 an hour,with a return flight home.But she says she sometimesgot just 10 to 15 hours a week.

"He only give me like two hours a day sometimes," she said.She has two daughters, aged 9 and 18, back home who are depending on her income.

"I was a bit scared that I can't send money back home during that time."

Fired

Nahe says about 11months into the contract shehad a falling out with the owner over pay. She sayshe fired her soon after.

Hotelowner,Kiran Patel, declined an interview with CBC News.

In Nahe'sletter of dismissal he cites "subordination issues" and says herhousekeeping was not up to required standards.

Now Nahehas no plane ticket home, and no legal right to work in Canadaunless another employer hires her as a temporary foreign worker.

The United Steelworkers unionhas helped Nahe file a complaint tothetip lineEmployment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) set up for temporary foreign workers last year.

"When they come to Canada, they should be treated fairly," said TroyCook, a labour activistwithUSW 9346,based in Sparwood, B.C..

"There's no need for it. She should be able to go find another job or, you know, we should have some sort of agency showing up here to make it right," he said."Watching people scraping by,it's not cool."

Nahe's work permit expires in January.

"All I want is at least to stay here and find a good employer to help me," she said.

Wheels of justice

Calgary immigration lawyer Raj Sharma says she could be in for a wait.

"She's hoping for justice, and unfortunately the wheels of justice grind very slowly for temporary foreign workers in Canada."

Since the launch of the tip linein April 2014, ESDChas received more than 3,000 complaints aboutalleged violations of the conditions ofthe Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

ESDCsaid in a written statement ittakes allegations of abuse very seriously andinvestigates each onevigorously.