KAIROS supports temporary foreign workers at Toronto Pearson Airport
New offering part of the federally funded Empowering Temporary Foreign Workers during COVID-19 project
(Ottawa, ON) – KAIROS is adding airport support services to its Empowering Temporary Foreign Workers (ETFW) during COVID-19 project to welcome, inform and assist arriving migrant workers on COVID-19 quarantine measures, vaccinations, and additional supports.
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, KAIROS’ ETFW project targets the Maritimes and Ontario and involves 14 community-driven partners. It runs from December 2020 to June 30, 2021.
KAIROS has added four multilingual staff and a resource/information kiosk at Toronto Pearson International Airport’s Terminals 1 and 3 to assist TFWs with the logistics of their arrival.
Incoming migrant workers will receive welcome bags with personal care equipment, language-appropriate resources, and non-perishable food items. They will be provided with key information about vaccinations, COVID-19 testing and the process at the airport, and information on services and support available to them. They will also be connected to community and regional partners for ongoing support and emergency care while they are in Canada.
“The addition of airport support services to the ETFW project is a welcome opportunity to establish the critical first point of contact for migrant workers when they arrive in the country,” says Connie Sorio, KAIROS’ Migrant Justice Coordinator and ETFW project lead. “We want to ensure that the workers are well informed, as soon as they land, on their rights and on the health requirements and services available to them.”
Prior to the launch of the project’s airport support services, KAIROS was given a tour of the airport and spent a week gathering information on the timing of flights and number of incoming workers to determine staffing needs.
The Greater Toronto Airport Authority has been very supportive of KAIROS and the ETFW project.
About KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives:
KAIROS is a social justice organization that includes ten Canadian churches and religious organizations. We are Indigenous, settlers and newcomers in Canada working with people of faith or conscience all over the world for ecological justice and human rights. We deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. Learn more: KAIROS Canada website.
Media Contact:
Cheryl McNamara, Media Coordinator, KAIROS Canada
416-875-0097 (mobile), cmcnamara@kairoscanada.org
