Tribunal rejects food truck company’s claim that worker owed money

A temporary foreign worker will not have to pay his former employer $2,725 over an alleged loan, following a recent Civil Resolution Tribunal decision.

Eli Israel Morales moved to Canada as a temporary foreign worker on a closed permit, meaning he could only work for Port Moody-based food truck operator BC Taco Restaurant Group.

The company contended Morales owed $2,725, presenting a photo of two signed “money receipt” forms. On the form the word “advance” is written.

Morales said he signed the forms but didn’t get the money, telling the tribunal BC Taco Restaurant Group demanded he pay all expenses associated with his work permit sponsorship.

According to Morales, he paid the company $1,500 in cash and was required to sign the receipts to cover remaining permit expenses.

In making his judgment, tribunal member Micah Carmody concluded there was no loan agreement.

The company’s only evidence is a photo of two “money receipt” forms. The company didn’t provide any witness statements explaining details of the alleged cash loans, nor any information about repayment terms or interest, Carmody noted.

A former employee, referred to in the judgement as DG, said the company: “required employees to sign these money receipts using threats.”

Some receipts were altered after being signed, according to DG.

“I note the forms were completed by hand, and it would be easy to add “loan” or “advance” after the employee signed the forms,” Carmody wrote.

Carmody dismissed the company’s claims.