A Nigerian asylum seeker in Canada, Taofeek Olajide, has spoken out about systemic exploitation and wage theft he endured while working at a Toronto restaurant, describing the experience as a stark reminder of corruption similar to what he fled in Nigeria. Olajide, who arrived in Canada in October 2023 with just $200, sought asylum after claiming he faced danger as a queer man in Nigeria. He was granted a work permit and received a $730 monthly allowance from the Canadian government to help settle in Toronto. However, his first job at Sunrise Caribbean, a local restaurant chain, quickly turned into a grueling and financially devastating experience.
Olajide was referred to the restaurant by an acquaintance and was told to contact a manager named Shanny. She offered him a position in the kitchen with a wage of $12 per hour, unaware that Toronto’s minimum wage at the time was $16.55. Eager for work after arriving in a new country, he accepted the job without questioning the pay. He underwent two days of unpaid training and began working immediately, only to discover the harsh realities of his employment conditions.
From December 2023, Olajide worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, shuttling between three restaurant locations several kilometres apart. The relentless schedule led to constant headaches and disrupted his religious practices as a Muslim. He requested a day off on Fridays to attend mosque, but his employer ignored his plea. Worse still, he was not paid on time, and by early February 2024, he had not received a full paycheck despite working through January. When he finally received a cheque, it covered less than a third of what he was owed—nearly $3,500.
Olajide and other affected workers, supported by the Workers’ Action Centre, launched protests in late 2024, drawing attention on social media and in the community. Despite their efforts, the restaurant’s management remained unresponsive. In November 2024, the workers filed a formal complaint with the Canadian Ministry of Labour. In February 2025, the ministry ruled in their favour, ordering Sunrise Caribbean to pay $115,000 in unpaid wages and $133,000 in damages to 13 former employees, totaling $248,000. Olajide’s share was $10,000 in wages and $20,000 in damages.
He expressed shock and disillusionment, stating he once believed Canada was free from the corruption he left behind in Nigeria. “When I fled Nigeria, I believed that I had left behind a corrupt state that rendered laws meaningless and enabled the abuse of its most marginalized residents,” he said. “But this experience in Canada has made me afraid for the future of my adoptive country — and less sure that I’ve left all that behind.” His story highlights the vulnerabilities faced by asylum seekers and immigrants, even in nations perceived as havens for human rights and fair labour practices. As the case sets a precedent, it may prompt broader scrutiny of worker protections for newcomers in Canada.
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