Dattaray Avhad faced distressing times after losing his job at Shenanigans Bar & Grill in Conception Bay South, leading to stressful days and restless nights. Avhad, aspiring for a fresh start in Canada with his family, paid over $24,000 to an attorney, Amardeep Singh, to secure a cooking job in Newfoundland and Labrador and attain permanent residency.
However, more than a year later, Avhad finds himself on a work permit for vulnerable workers, working as a cab driver with uncertain prospects for permanent residency. He continues to struggle to reclaim his investment. Singh, who promotes immigration services on social media, allegedly offers kitchen job placements and guarantees immigration to Canada within 6-12 months, a practice deemed unethical and exploitative by immigration experts.
Avhad’s ordeal began when he migrated from Mumbai, enticed by Singh’s promises of employment and relocation for his family. Despite securing a job at Shenanigans Bar & Grill, Avhad faced discrepancies in his pay, receiving less than agreed upon in his contract. CBC News verified the contract and pay stub, revealing a shortfall in his earnings.
Avhad’s troubles escalated when Singh allegedly demanded an additional $10,000 to secure another job after Avhad was abruptly terminated by his employer. Avhad expressed deep distress over these events, feeling betrayed and deceived by Singh’s actions.
Despite CBC News’ attempts to reach Singh for comment, the attorney cited ongoing proceedings with the Ontario Law Society and declined to discuss Avhad’s case due to lawyer-client confidentiality. Shenanigans Bar & Grill owner, Luc Viau, justified Avhad’s termination, accusing him of incompetence and rent non-payment.
Avhad, struggling with expired permits and financial burdens, applied for an extension based on humanitarian grounds, fearing deportation to Mumbai without reimbursement from Singh. Legal expert Meghan Felt highlighted irregularities in Singh’s handling of the case, emphasizing the lack of transparency in the permanent residency process and potential financial obligations owed to Avhad.
Concerns were raised over Singh’s multiple roles in entities like Atlantic Business College, Atlantic Immigration, and Atlantic Jobs, suggesting a conflict of interest in combining legal services with job recruitment. Syed Hussan, from the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, advocated for Avhad’s rights, urging government intervention to rectify the exploitation he faced.
The case sheds light on the legal complexities and ethical dilemmas surrounding migrant worker recruitment and immigration practices, prompting calls for regulatory reforms to safeguard vulnerable individuals like Avhad.