B.C. employer’s testimony 'contradictory on key issues,' says tribunal
A British Columbia tribunal has ordered a Richmond-based truck repair company to pay more than $115,000 to a foreign worker from India who was required to pay $25,000 to secure employment and was subsequently underpaid during his tenure.
The B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal ruled in favour of Harminder Singh, who worked for A J Boyal Truck Repair Ltd. between July 2018 and October 2019.
Singh claimed he paid $25,000 to obtain employment in Canada and was later shorted wages, according to a report by CBC News.
CBC reported that the worker paid $10,000 in cash, while the remaining $15,000 was paid via cheques issued by Singh’s cousin to an associate of the company’s owner, Sarvpreet Boyal.
The tribunal found that this payment directly contravened the Employment Standards Act, which prohibits any employer from demanding or accepting money in exchange for a job offer.
Numerous groups have previously claimed that immigrants looking to land employment in Canada are being asked to pay tens of thousands of dollars by employers who are abusing the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program.
The B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal also determined that A J Boyal Truck Repair withheld substantial earnings during Singh’s employment. A second review of the case—prompted by a successful appeal of an earlier ruling—revealed multiple labour violations.
In a 70-page...
By Matthew Knott and Nick Bonyhady April 19, 2025 — 5.54pm , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any tim...