Unionized construction workers in Vancouver are walking off the job on Wednesday to protest Ottawa's decision to allow foreign workers to be brought in to work on a major project, says the head of the B.C. Federation of Labour.

Jim Sinclair says the designated "guest workers" on the new Golden Ears Bridge in the Fraser Valley are treated as second-class citizens and are not paid as much as Canadian workers.

"This isn't about immigration. This is about having cheap labour available without any of the rights a normal worker would have," he said.

Sinclair argues there is no shortage of local skilled trades workers available, and that contractors are just trying to save money.

"In the boardroom right now, what they're crying out is 'Workers, workers, workers,' and what they're really crying is 'We need cheaper, cheaper labour.' "

These workers often come from developing countries just to work, not to immigrate.

Sinclair says the doors to immigration should be opened wider to attract new Canadians, who would then be paid Canadian rates of pay instead of allowing companies to import workers.

But Philip Hochstein of the Independent Contractors and Business Association of B.C. dismisses allegations that the imported workers are treated as second-class citizens.

He says contractors are just trying to finish jobs, and the workers are needed to fill a serious labour shortage.

"As the contracting community, we have clients to serve who want to get into their houses and get into their highrise properties, and we just don't have enough workers to do that."

Hochstein accuses the B.C. Federation of Labour is just grandstanding to serve its own interests.