written by: Alice Tremblay
edited by: Carly Waiz
Behind many Canadian families stands a migrant caregiver who looks after the children, supports the elderly, and keeps households running smoothly. Unfortunately, the value of their work is almost never rewarded with the protections they deserve. As the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice reports, many caregivers, often women from the Philippines and the Caribbean, struggle to access justice and exercise their basic rights. Their work permits are often tied to a single employer, making them dependent on that employer for both income and immigration status. This type of power imbalance discourages migrant workers from reporting abuse or exploitation, for one complaint could mean losing their source of income or being forced to leave the country.
For those who do try to seek help, the path is anything but straightforward. Legal aid is limited, complaint procedures are complex, and the overlap between labour and immigration law often leaves workers unsure of where to turn. Even when remedies exist, few caregivers can afford to pursue them. Long working hours and live-in arrangements isolate many from their communities, while limited English or French makes it harder to navigate legal systems. The result is a form of legal invisibility: caregivers remain essential to the functioning of Canadian society, but remain excluded from its systems of protection. Their experience reveals a deeper tension in Canada’s reliance on migrant labour and its failure to guarantee security and dignity for those who provide care.
This issue is not only relevant in Canada; it is a global reality. In South East Asia, where migrant caregiving is widespread, workers in places such as Hong Kong and Singapore face similar patterns of dependency and control, if not more. Many live in their employers’ homes with little privacy, rest, or freedom of movement. Their legal status often depends entirely on the employer’s consent, which once again leaves them vulnerable to long working hours and verbal or physical abuse. Reports from regional organizations show that these women often endure exploitative conditions with limited access to justice or social protection.
The same pattern exists across the world. In the Middle East and Europe, migrant caregivers fill essential roles within health systems and households but remain excluded from the basic rights guaranteed to other workers. Many countries still exclude domestic and care workers from national labour laws, leaving them without formal contracts, minimum wages, or access to unions. This legal and social exclusion turns care work into a site of insecurity rather than protection.
Recognizing the rights of caregivers is a matter of human security. It means ensuring that the people who sustain the health, stability, and dignity of others are not themselves left vulnerable to exploitation. True security must include the right to fair work, safety, and justice for all who provide care.