The B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal has slapped A J Boyal Truck Repair Ltd. in Richmond, B.C., with a staggering $115,574.69 payout to mechanic Harminder Singh, an Indian worker who alleged he was coerced into paying a $25,000 bribe just to secure his job.
This landmark decision, detailed in a blistering 70-page report, not only compensates Singh for lost wages, unpaid holidays, and vacation time but also exposes a disturbing pattern of exploitation targeting vulnerable workers.
The case has ignited outrage and calls for reform, making it a must-read story for anyone concerned about labor rights and corporate accountability in Canada.
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A Harrowing Journey from Hope to Exploitation
Harminder Singh’s story begins in March 2018 when he arrived in Canada on a visitor visa, fueled by dreams of a better life.
Little did he know that his pursuit of opportunity would lead him into a nightmare of exploitation at the hands of A J Boyal Truck Repair Ltd.
With the assistance of his cousin, Singh was introduced to Sarvpreet Boyal, the company’s sole director, who was seeking mechanics and had recently secured a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
This assessment allowed the company to hire four temporary foreign workers, including Singh, as truck and transport mechanics.
Singh signed an employment contract and briefly returned to India for a month before re-entering Canada in July 2018 with a work permit.
His employment at the company lasted until October 2019, but what should have been a stepping stone to stability quickly turned into a tale of deceit and financial ruin.
Singh claims he was forced to pay Boyal $25,000 to secure his position—a blatant violation of the Employment Standards Act, which explicitly prohibits employers from demanding or accepting payment for employment.
According to Singh, the bribe was split into two parts: a $10,000 cash payment and a $15,000 portion covered by cheques written by his cousin and made payable to one of Boyal’s associates.
This shocking revelation set the stage for a legal battle that would expose the dark underbelly of some Canadian businesses and their treatment of vulnerable workers.
The Tribunal’s Scathing Indictment
The B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal, led by delegate Shannon Corregan, delivered a withering critique of A J Boyal Truck Repair Ltd. and its director in a 70-page determination that leaves no room for doubt about the company’s misconduct.
Corregan found both Sarvpreet Boyal and his lawyer, Pir Indar Paul Singh Sahota, to be completely lacking in credibility, describing their testimony and behavior as “obstructive,” “unprofessional,” and “inconsistent.”
“Mr. Boyal’s testimony was contradictory on key issues,” Corregan wrote.
“He altered his evidence when confronted with the negative implications of his claims.
Some of his statements were outright unbelievable, and others directly contradicted the company’s documents.”
In a decisive blow, she declared, “I find that Mr. Boyal was not a credible witness.
Where his testimony conflicts with Mr. Singh’s, I prefer Mr. Singh’s testimony.”
The tribunal also uncovered a web of deception surrounding the hours Singh worked.
Both sides accused each other of falsifying records, but a documents expert retained by Singh’s counsel, Jonathon Braun of the Migrant Workers Centre, delivered a damning verdict.
The expert analyzed a spiral notebook, or “register,” that Boyal claimed employees used to log their hours.
The findings were unequivocal: Singh’s signatures were “not genuine,” and all entries appeared to have been written by a single person, not multiple employees as Boyal insisted.
Faced with this mountain of evidence, Corregan had no choice but to rule in Singh’s favor, awarding him a comprehensive settlement that included back wages, overtime pay, statutory holiday compensation, vacation pay, length of service benefits, and accrued interest.
The company was also hit with $4,000 in administrative penalties for eight separate violations of the Employment Standards Act.
A Breakdown of the Settlement: Justice Served
The $115,574.69 award to Singh breaks down as follows, offering a clear picture of the financial toll of his exploitation:
- Wages: $24,032.13
- Overtime: $44,256.24
- Statutory Holiday Pay: $2,505.76
- Annual Vacation Pay: $4,585.38
- Length of Service Compensation: $2,300.42
- Charge for Obtaining Employment (partial recovery): $15,000
- Accrued Interest: $22,894.76
Notably, Corregan could only award $15,000 of the $25,000 bribe Singh paid, as the initial $10,000 cash payment fell outside the tribunal’s recovery period.
While this limitation is a bitter pill for Singh, the overall settlement represents a significant victory and a powerful deterrent to other employers engaging in similar practices.
This wasn’t the first time Singh sought justice.
His initial complaint in 2023 resulted in a meager award of $3,149.39 in wages and $2,000 in penalties.
Dissatisfied, Singh appealed, and in 2024, the case was reopened for a second investigation, ultimately leading to this far more substantial ruling.
The Human Cost of Corporate Greed
Behind the legal proceedings and financial figures lies a deeply human story of betrayal, resilience, and the fight for fairness.
Harminder Singh, a skilled mechanic who came to Canada with hope in his heart, found himself ensnared in a system that prioritized profit over people.
The $25,000 he was forced to pay was more than just money—it was a crushing blow to his trust in his employer and the Canadian dream he had embraced.
For temporary foreign workers and immigrants like Singh, such exploitation is all too common.
They often arrive in Canada vulnerable, unfamiliar with local laws, and desperate for work, making them easy targets for unscrupulous employers.
Singh’s case shines a spotlight on this systemic issue, prompting urgent calls for stronger protections, better enforcement, and cultural change.
Jonathon Braun, Singh’s legal representative, called the ruling a “landmark victory” for workers’ rights.
“This decision is a wake-up call for employers who think they can exploit vulnerable workers without consequence,” Braun said.
“It reaffirms that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, deserves fair treatment and legal protection.”
A Catalyst for Change
The fallout from Singh’s case extends far beyond the walls of A J Boyal Truck Repair Ltd.
It has sparked a nationwide conversation about labor rights, corporate accountability, and the treatment of temporary foreign workers in Canada.
Advocacy groups, policymakers, and communities are now rallying to address the root causes of such exploitation and prevent future abuses.
For the trucking and repair industry, the ruling serves as a stark warning.
Employers must now scrutinize their practices, ensure compliance with employment standards, and foster a culture of transparency and respect.
Failure to do so could result in severe financial penalties, reputational damage, and legal repercussions.
On a broader scale, Singh’s victory highlights the critical role of government agencies like the B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal in upholding workers’ rights.
It also underscores the importance of legal advocates and support organizations, such as the Migrant Workers Centre, in empowering vulnerable individuals to fight back against injustice.
The Road Ahead: Strengthening Worker Protections
As Canada grapples with the implications of this case, there is a clear need for systemic reform.
Governments must tighten regulations, increase penalties for violators, and provide more robust support for workers who face exploitation.
Employers, meanwhile, have a responsibility to lead by example, treating all employees with dignity and fairness.
For Harminder Singh, the $115,574.69 award is both a vindication and a stepping stone to a brighter future.
While the scars of his experience may never fully heal, his courage has paved the way for others to seek justice and demand change.
His story is a powerful reminder that no worker should ever have to pay for the privilege of earning a living.
This case is more than just a legal dispute—it’s a wake-up call for society.
It exposes the vulnerabilities of temporary foreign workers, the greed of some employers, and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced.
By sharing Singh’s story, we can raise awareness, spark debate, and drive action to create a fairer, more just labor market in Canada and beyond.
As of April 14, 2025, the reverberations of this ruling continue to be felt, with calls for reform growing louder every day.
A J Boyal Truck Repair Ltd. has not responded to requests for comment, but the damage to its reputation is already done.
For Singh, the fight is over, but the broader battle for worker rights is just beginning.
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