In solidarity with women migrant workers this International Women’s Day
Bénédicte arrived in Canada with the same hopes carried by countless migrant women. She sought opportunity, financial security, and a better future for her children.
Like many others, she entered through Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This program ties migrant workers to a single employer, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation because it means they cannot leave their employer without losing their work visa. For Bénédicte, what was promised to be a job working on a farm quickly became an overwhelming burden of unpaid labour, intense hours, and isolation from the outside world.
Every year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day by recognizing the many achievements of women and advocating for gender equity. It’s a day to uplift stories of resilience while challenging the systems that oppress women and commit to building a future where every woman—no matter her background—can thrive in dignity and freedom.
I am moved to share Bénédicte’s story, which epitomizes courage, perseverance, and the ongoing fight for justice.
Her story is also not unique. Across the world, women in precarious work situations face excessive workloads, withheld wages, unsafe work conditions, and threats of deportation if they dare to speak up. Bénédicte found herself trapped—working seven days a week without rest, her wages controlled by her employer, and her ability to make choices about her life took taken away from her.
One of the most profound aspects of Bénédicte’s story is the way women—strangers at first—stepped in to help her reclaim her freedom. Her hairstylist reaching out to another woman created a chain of support that would ultimately lead to her escape. Her story is a testament to the power of women standing together, proving that real change happens when women support each other.
Bénédicte’s journey highlights a painful reality: migrant women, particularly those on closed work permits, face systemic barriers that leave them vulnerable to labour abuse. International Women’s Day is not only a celebration but a moment to call for urgent reforms:
- Call your Member of Parliament asking them to:
- End closed work permits that tie migrant workers to one employer
- Ensure permanent residency is accessible to all workers
- Strengthen workplace protections for migrant women
- Sign a petition by Amnesty International calling on the Prime Minister to abolish closed work permits and grant open work permits to ensure migrant workers can freely choose their employers. This is an essential step in protecting their rights and dignity. You can add your name to the petition here.
Bénédicte’s story is one of triumph—not because of what she endured, but because of how she overcame it. Today, she is a passionate advocate for migrant workers, using her voice to fight for others who are still trapped in the system. Her resilience is a reminder that women, when empowered, become forces of change.
On this International Women’s Day, let us honour the strength of women like Bénédicte by standing in solidarity with all migrant women fighting for their rights. Let us demand a world where no woman has to endure exploitation to survive.
By Leah Shifferaw, Migrant Justice Team Lead
