Three men in Moose Jaw accused of mistreating foreign workers have made their first appearance in court.

Kartikkumar Prakashkumar Patel, Rutvik Hasmukhbhai Patel and Piyushkumar Mafatbhai Patel are each charged with three offences as employers, under the province’s Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, 2013 (FWRISA).

The three men were originally charged with:

• Taking or threatening to take action against a foreign worker for participating in an investigation or proceeding by any government;
• Taking unfair advantage or exploiting a foreign national’s trust, and;
• Charging a foreign worker a fee or expense for employment.

All three charges fall under Sections 22 and 23 of FWRISA. The alleged offences took place between August 2023 and February 2024 at Guac Mexi Grill in Moose Jaw, Sask.

On Tuesday, the trio’s defence lawyer asked for the case to be adjourned to allow more time for the accused to review their charges.

The case will return to court on Dec. 15.

This is the first time any charges have been laid under the province’s immigration protection laws.

In July 2024, The Immigration Services Act, 2024 (ISA) took effect in Saskatchewan, which replaced FWRISA.

However, as the alleged offences were committed before the implementation of ISA, the charges fall under FWRISA.