The Scamming of Job Seekers in B.C.: Why "We're Hiring" is Often a Lie

 

In BC , the job market is broken. Everywhere you turn, you see ads saying “We’re Hiring,” but for many of us, these ads are nothing but empty promises. Businesses claim to need workers, but when you apply—whether in person or online—nothing happens. It's all a form of advertising to look "busy" or to justify hiring temporary foreign workers instead of offering opportunities to locals.

The False Advertising

How many times have you seen a business with a "We're Hiring" sign, only to find that weeks or even months later, the position is still unfilled? Or worse, they suddenly claim the position is “unfillable” and hire a temporary foreign worker instead. The reality is, these job postings aren’t always genuine. They are part of a tactic to fill the job with someone who may accept lower wages or work under conditions that a local worker wouldn't.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program Abuse

Businesses can claim that they’ve been unable to find a suitable local candidate and use the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program as a loophole. The TFW program allows employers to hire workers from abroad, often at lower wages, and under less scrutiny than they would face hiring a local worker. But the problem is, many of these positions could have been filled by local job seekers—if the businesses had actually given them a fair chance.

The Impact on Locals

This practice hurts locals in a few key ways:

1. Lost opportunities: Qualified workers are being overlooked for positions that could help them stay afloat in an expensive province.
2. Lower wages: The influx of temporary foreign workers can drive down wages and job conditions for everyone.
3. Frustration and Desperation: Job seekers spend months applying, only to see no response, or worse—companies hiring from outside the country instead of considering local talent.

What’s Really Going On?

Politicians, including Premier David Eby, talk about the need to fix the housing crisis and create opportunities for people, but when it comes to real action on job access, the system is rigged. They turn a blind eye to these exploitation practices, while workers like you struggle to find fair work. These jobs are essential, and yet they’re not being offered to those who need them the most.

The Call for Change

If we want real change, it’s time to hold these businesses accountable. We need to demand transparency in hiring practices and fight back against the exploitation of the Temporary Foreign Worker program. Businesses should be required to prove they’ve genuinely tried to hire local talent before looking abroad.

Your Voice Matters

If you’ve experienced this issue—whether in retail, food service, or elsewhere—share your story. The more voices we have speaking out, the more pressure we can put on businesses and politicians to make a real change.

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