A ban on recruitment fees is among a series of new protections for live-in caregivers in Ontario.

Under new legislation passed yesterday, the government is expanding protections for some of the province's most vulnerable workers.  Key highlights include:

• A ban on fees charged to live-in caregivers by recruiters, either directly or indirectly, or by anyone on behalf of a recruiter.
• Preventing employers from recovering, directly or indirectly, recruitment and placement costs from live-in caregivers.
• Prohibiting the practice of taking a caregiver's personal documents such as a passport and work permit
• Prohibiting reprisals against caregivers for exercising their rights under the legislation.
• Allowing live-in caregivers up to three and a half years to make a complaint - an increase from the current two year period under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.

Live-in caregivers will also get more information about their rights and Labour inspectors will have more authority to investigate violations based on tips.  All of these steps will help curb the abuse of foreign nationals who come to Ontario to work, including the practice of collecting placement fees for bogus job offers.

The new legislation takes effect once proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor.