Red Deer pair charged with human trafficking face labour law offences

Two people accused in a central Alberta human trafficking case involving temporary foreign workers have also been charged with not following provincial labour laws.

In April, the RCMP Serious Organized Crime unit charged Varinder Sidhu and Ravinder Sidhu of Red Deer with offences under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The Mounties said they began investigating last year after the workers complained to the province.

The Alberta government said Thursday that it has charged the Sidhus with four employment standards offences involving people who worked at a motel, a liquor store and a convenience store.

The province says seven temporary foreign workers were owed $83,000 in wages, which have since been paid out.

Jay Fisher, a spokesman for the province, said the charges involve more than just not paying someone properly.