Economic woes put target on foreign staff
Trish Audette, Edmonton Journal
Published: Wednesday, January 07, 2009A weakening economy is putting pressure on the government to halt a program that has brought tens of thousands of temporary foreign workers to Alberta.
"Those people are really vulnerable when the economy goes sour," says Yessy Byl, a lawyer and advocate for the Alberta Federation of Labour.
"We're starting to see the fallout.People are getting laid off."
The temporary foreign worker program falls under federal jurisdiction, like immigration, giving people passes to work in Canada for no more than three years.
In Alberta, the program answers a labour shortage driven by the oil boom, particularly in the energy and construction industries. The province counted 37,257 temporary foreign workers in 2007, up from 22,105 in 2006. Numbers for 2008 are not yet available, and there is no target or estimate for the number of people expected to be ushered into jobs in 2009.
"We don't forecast for temporary foreign workers because it's based on employer need," said Alberta Employment and Immigration spokeswoman Jennifer Raimundo, noting companies have to prove to the federal government they need to go out-of-country to find suitable workers.
"Certainly, with the economic changes that are happening, we're monitoring it closely. But we're still in a labour shortage situation. We're not in a situation where we don't need people."
But an Edmonton recruiter of temporary foreign workers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the writing is already on the wall as a global recession kicks into place.
"There are less jobs available, which has the effect of having more Canadians available," he said--even in Alberta.
The price of oil sank at the end of last year, and companies began announcing refinery construction projects would be put on hold.
The recruiter said he does not expect it will be so easy to hire temporary foreign workers this year.
"It's a much different economy than it was six months ago."
In a bad economy, Byl notes, short-term migrants will always be pushed out of jobs first, and they often don't understand their rights. In Ontario, a mushroom factory made headlines just before Christmas when it laid off 120 foreign and other workers, highlighting the squeeze short-term workers can find themselves in.
"It's a really vulnerable population," said Jim Gurnett, executive director of the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. Long a critic of the program, Gurnett wants to see the federal government stop approving companies' requests for new foreign workers and focus on helping those people already in Canada.
In June, his centre and eight other immigrant support organizations received $1.4 million from the province to assist temporary workers.Unlike immigrants, whose entry to Canada often hinges upon language proficiency, many temporary workers do not speak English, and they do not know laws governing overtime pay or other workers' rights.
"They really struggle," Gurnett said, and many hope their short-term pass to Canada's labour market will mean they can stay forever.
"I think we are going to see a problem, potentially, of the growth of people who stay illegally."
Save our life, 12 years of pain away from my family (wife & 10yeas old son)
I wish I was there …
On my wife’s pregnancy, giving birth to our son, raising our child alone for the hope that the family will be reunited soon. I wish I could see my son crawling, walking, I wish I was there when he said DADDY for the first time, I wish I was there when he start walking, I wish I could teach him how to raid a bike, I wish I could walk him to school , I wish I could hand him gifts on his birthdays (not sending them by mail) and see the big smile on his face and hold him in my arms , I wish ………….
What difficult and long days nights that have been unbearable we have endured. We have been going through so much anxiety and emotional distress in all these years just for the hope of HAVING OUR LIFE BACK.
I have met my wife and son just ones (because of our financial strain caused by daily telephone calls and legal fees) over 6 years ago in Thailand for only three weeks No words can express our feeling seeing each other after about five years and I was seeing my four years old son for the first time. It was so exciting and exhilarating.
Every moment of the time we spent together was very sweet and unforgettable just like a sweet dream.
I wish I did not see my four years old son who was getting acquainted to me his father who has not seen him since his birth saying goodbye not knowing when they could possibly be able to see each other again. I can never forget his words at the airport saying Why don't you come home daddy??.But daddy you promised to come home and we play Legos.His words and voice still echoing in my ears. I cannot get him off my mind even for moment. I always remember that every time I asked him “who is daddy's boy? “ With his innocent and sweet look he opened his eyes and said “ I AM “ .Now each time we talk on the phone after we finish talking he would not hang up the phone first and telling me that he dose not want to say GOODBYE first . I wish that I could fly and soar towards them at this very moment. I WISH THAT I COULD SEE HIS ROOM JUST FOR ONCE.............. . This longing of seeing them is burning my soul.
It is agonizing to see my son around the Christmas tree sadly watching the other kids with fathers around and asking him why his father is not by his side during such holy and precious moments, I do not believe ANY child deserves this grief's.
It is also hard to see my dear wife struggling alone so vigorously for my return for such long time (11 YEARS) she has been not only to do her best as a loving and devoting mother in bringing up our son but also to fill the gap caused by my absence at home.
However, I accept it was my own fault to make matters so complicated and I apologize for my actions (LIAED to the CRDD in the year of 1992), you have to appreciate because of my inexperience I approached the matter in wrong way. But I am disappointed and deeply hurt having these rumors circulating about me (19(1)j) and my innocence have not been proven for the immigration authorities, EVEN that CSIS has giving me security clearness. (NRT)
My only gilt is that I LIAED 17 years ago.
I hope that no family ever deals with the same problem and fate as we do.
I also hope that nothing causes separation among the members of a family for whatever reason that may be.
Hope that any distrust's replaced by compassion, forbearance and affinity.
Yours truly,
Saeed Javdani Tabrizi Nejad
265- 10th WEST- Ave
Azadi st, Gohardasht (Rajaee Shahr)
Karaj, Iran
Postal code: 31489-63631
Tel: 01198-261- 449- 0303
Cell: 01198-912-567-2495
sam_javdanitn@yahoo.com
Posted by: saeed javdani | January 07, 2009 at 04:04 PM
This is all good to know, but what do I do having my work permit till next year, and being laid off now because I am not Canadian. It's understandable that Canadians have right of way; however, looking at some of the people we are working with who are Canadians, makes me sad because I know how difficult it is to get anything, so I try my best to prove I have deserved this position while others don't even care about what they have and waste their time on everything instead of doing good job, how fair is it then being laid off just for not being one of them?
Posted by: VAN | February 01, 2009 at 02:21 PM
TO: HON. JASON KENNEY, minister of citizenship, immigration & multiculturalism
hello
FOR THE LAST 12 YERAS CIC HAS KEPT ASKING US TO REAPPLY , WHICH WE DID SEND SPONSORSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR 4 TIMES , AND GOT REFUSED OVER AND OVER BASED ON IRB exclusion ,,,,,,,,
(Person 13 -- citizen of Iran who applied at a Canadian mission following sponsorship by his Canadian spouse. The subject had been a martial arts teacher for an internal security service. The subject had previously made a refugee claim in Canada and was excluded from refugee protection due to his involvement in crimes against humanity. It was asserted that the skills taught by him were used to torture dissidents. Based on the previous exclusion by the IRB, the application was refused)
IN OUR LAST APPLICATION CANADIAN EMBASSY IN SYRIA MADE IT CLEAR FOR US AFTER 12 YERAS THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP US AT ALL AND NO POINT OF SENDING SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION TO THERE OFFICE AGINE .
PLEASE SEE THE EMBASSY “S LATEST RESPOND…
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On Wed, 11/5/08, re-damascus-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca wrote:
From: re-damascus-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca
Subject: FILE: B053064970 NAMES: JAVDANI-TABRIZI-NEGAD, SAEED / Fc1
To: sam_javdanitn@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 2:00 AM
Dear Saeed Javdani-Tabrizi-Negad:
All of the available information was taken into consideration at the time of your application and interview, and in arriving at a decision to refuse your application. The nature of your inadmissibility and the reasons for the refusal were carefully explained to you at the interview and in the refusal letter. An officer has no discretion to exempt an applicant from these inadmissibilities.
The decision to refuse your application is maintained.
Regards,
Immigration Section - NMM
Canadian Embassy, Damascus
P.O.Box 3394
Tel.: (963-11) 611-6692
Fax: (963-11) 611-8034
Web site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/syria
E-mail: damascus-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca
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THE OFFICER WHICH I HAD INTERVIWE WITH TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN HAVE MY LIFE BACK IS TO CONTACT THE MINISTER, OR MEDIA.
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As you may know our son ARYA RICHARD JAVDANI dose not have Iranian citizenship, and he was only able to see his father ones over 6 years ago in Thailand for the first time and the second visit was last charismas EVE in Budapest which we called it the gift from our LORD,
I wish I was there …
On my wife’s pregnancy, giving birth to our son, raising our child alone for the hope that the family will be reunited soon. I wish I could see my son crawling, walking, I wish I was there when he said DADDY for the first time, I wish I was there when he start walking, I wish I could teach him how to raid a bike, I wish I could walk him to school , I wish I could hand him gifts on his birthdays (not sending them by mail) and see the big smile on his face and hold him in my arms , I wish ………….
What difficult and long days nights that have been unbearable we have endured. We have been going through so much anxiety and emotional distress in all these years just for the hope of HAVING OUR LIFE BACK.
I wish I did not see my 11 years old son who was getting acquainted to me his father who has not seen him since 6 years ago saying goodbye not knowing when they could possibly be able to see each other again. I can never forget his words at the airport saying, why don't you come home daddy? But daddy you promised to come home and we play Legos.His words and voice still echoing in my ears. I cannot get him off my mind even for moment. I always remember that every time I asked him “who is daddy's boy? “ With his innocent and sweet look he opened his eyes and said “ I AM “ .Now each time we talk on the phone after we finish talking he would not hang up the phone first and telling me that he dose not want to say GOODBYE first . I wish that I could fly and soar towards them at this very moment. I WISH THAT I COULD SEE HIS ROOM JUST FOR ONCE.............. . This longing of seeing them is burning my soul.
It is agonizing to see my son around the Christmas tree sadly watching the other kids with fathers around and asking him why his father is not by his side during such holy and precious moments, I do not believe ANY child deserves this grief's.
It is also hard to see my dear wife struggling alone so vigorously for my return for such long time (12 YEARS) she has been not only to do her best as a loving and devoting mother in bringing up our son but also to fill the gap caused by my absence at home.
However, I accept it was my own fault to make matters so complicated and I apologize for my actions (LIAED to the CRDD in the year of 1992), you have to appreciate because of my inexperience I approached the matter in wrong way. But I am disappointed and deeply hurt having these rumors circulating about me (19(1)j) and my innocence have not been proven for the immigration authorities, EVEN that CSIS has giving me security clearness. (NRT)
My only gilt is that I LIAED 17 years ago.
I hope that no family ever deals with the same problem and fate as we do.
I also hope that nothing causes separation among the members of a family for whatever reason that may be.
Hope that any distrust's replaced by compassion, forbearance and affinity.
javdani
Posted by: saeed javdani | May 16, 2009 at 04:03 PM