India is a land of rich culture, warmth, and unparalleled hospitality, where the principles of अतिथि देवो भव (Atithi Devo Bhava)—”Guests are like God” and वसुधैव कुटुंबकम (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)—the whole world is one (my) family is deeply ingrained. Canadians often refer to Canada as a “mini-India” due to its large population of NRIs (Non-Resident Indians). However, recent reports suggest a troubling trend where some Indians in Canada exploit their fellow countrymen, raising questions about whether we are losing sight of our cultural values. Are we forgetting our roots? Are we too accustomed to alienated cultures? Are we even Indians if we don’t carry our culture with us? Are we the ancestors of Shabri, a poor old woman welcoming enough to walk miles and collect berries for Ram? Are we even the followers of Gandhiji, who once helped with Africa’s independence? Are we the same Indians who once fought against the Colonial Injustice, and now we follow the same path? Are we really Indians?
Instead of the empathy, generosity, and mutual support that our ancestors held dear, many Indian students in Canada are facing exploitation from within their community. These students, drawn to Canada by dreams of a better future, are underpaid and overworked. A conversation with a worker from a well-known Indian grocery store, Panchvati, as reported by Team Maadhyam, unveiled some shocking realities: “We’re being paid just 8 CAD an hour, nearly ten dollars below the legal minimum wage. We have no choice but to accept these conditions because of the high living costs. Many of us work beyond the regular hours to make ends meet, but even then, 8 CAD per hour is nowhere near enough to cover our monthly expenses. We’re trapped in this cycle because we can’t afford to push back against it.”
A Maadhyam employee based in Canada for a few months took up a job in a smoothie shop and was promised pay on a SIN number. The day she joined, she was asked to train for two weeks and then was promised a pay of 10 CAD. The owner specified, “I will pay you on SIN only when I feel fulfilled with your work.” in such cases, the owners promise them longer shifts but fail to do so and might fire them when they ask for a raise… a recent trend in the Indian Business Setting of Canada.
This issue extends beyond grocery stores to Indian restaurants and other businesses where Indian students are subjected to long hours at wages far below the minimum standard. Many are hired without a SIN number, and in some cases, their pay is withheld entirely if they choose to leave their job. The base pay in Canada is 16.55 CAD, yet these young workers often receive only half of that while being pushed to work grueling hours without breaks. These owners get the workers to work 40 hours a week and promise them to pay on SIN number for 20 hours and pay extra for the rest 20 hours. But they are paid just 8 CAD an hour. These students often suffer from these issues and are trapped paying higher taxes at lower wages. These workers are then fired when they demand higher wages on SIN numbers.
It’s disheartening to see fellow Indians, who should understand the struggles of these students, perpetuating such exploitation. As foreign culture influences NRI communities, the plight of these young Indians worsens. Our community must remember the values we hold dear — empathy, compassion, and mutual support — and stand against exploiting our people, no matter where they are in the world.
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