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Temporary foreign workers prepare to leave the country


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Temporary foreign workers prepare to leave the country

Health care top of mind for foreign workers being forced to leave after permits expire

They're packing their bags, but they're not ready to go.
Thousands of temporary foreign workers will see their permits expire on Wednesday, and they'll have to leave the country.
In 2011, the federal government changed the rules — giving temporary foreign workers in low-skilled jobs the option to apply to become permanent residents or leave the country after their permits expire.
But many of those who wish to stay are still waiting for the paperwork to be processed, leaving them in limbo.
Mary-Ann Salilican moved to Canada from the Philippines six years and six months ago, and she hoped to live out her life here.
"I'm scared," she said. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow. I don't want to go home for good."
Salilican said she doesn't think she'll be able to find a job in the Philippines, which would mean the family she has been supporting for years will suffer.
"I always cry, because I don't know what will happen to my life, and my niece and nephews who I support to go to school."
April 1 deadline
The government has not revealed how many people will have to leave by the April 1 deadline, but some advocacy groups estimate it could be as many as 70,000 countrywide.
"Those dreams of staying in Canada are all gone," said Marco Lucinao with Migrante Alberta, a group that works with temporary foreign workers.
Lucinao's group has been trying to keep temporary workers informed about their rights, including health-care options if they decide to stay illegally. He said many are confused about the rules and what steps are needed to become permanent citizens.
"These are also people. It's our responsibility as human beings to help others."
maria-victoria-venancio.jpg
Maria Victoria Venancio
Maria Victoria Venancio was left in a wheelchair after being hit by a car on her way to work as a temporary foreign worker. Because she can't work, she is now in Canada illegally, and without health care. (CBC)
One extreme case involves Maria Victoria Venancio, who came to Canada from the Philippines in 2011 to work at McDonalds. Two years ago, she was hit by a car while biking to her job. The accident left her in a wheelchair and unable to work.
She could not renew her work visa because of her injuries and is now living in the country illegally and without health care.
Venancio said she's still holding out hope the government will make an exception, because she was hurt while working here.
"This not fair for the people who work hard for this country," she said.
Grizel Marron has lived in Edmonton for five years and gave birth to her son, Ghian Zach, nine months ago.
She said she's afraid to go home, where she won't be able to afford the same quality of health care for her baby.
"I need to stay for my baby's future," she said at an information session for temporary foreign workers on Tuesday.
'It makes victims of migrant workers'
Clarizze Truscott was at the session to answer questions as a spokeswoman for the Temporary Foreign Work Support Coalition.
temporary-foreign-workers.jpg
Temporary Foreign Workers
(Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
She said she has been touched by countless stories about workers. Her group is lobbying the government to provide permanent status for all temporary foreign workers and their children.
She said the temporary foreign worker program as it stands now treats people as disposable.
"It makes victims of innocent migrant workers and their children who are caught in this mess," she said.
In September, then employment minister, Jason Kenney said the changes to the program were necessary to make sure Canadians get first access to available jobs.
Despite the deadline, Salilican refuses to give up her Canadian dream.
She's now appealing to the federal government on humanitarian grounds, because she said going back to the Philippines will be more like leaving home than going back.
As callous as it may sound in light on this article, good riddance to low skilled foreign workers. Why was the TFW program seen as a path to permanent residency? You're flipping burgers and shipping half your income to another country. I think we can take care of that without you. Why did the lady think she was going to spend her life here, when it's been pretty clear that the T stands for temporary?
That said, I'm an immigrant and I am all for immigration into Canada. I think it should be easier to come to Canada than it has gotten since I've arrived 18 years ago (on 03/30!), but TFW program should not be used as a backdoor for unqualified applicants. Let these folks apply to immigrate here like everyone else, though I think their time in Canada should factor in somehow. And once we cycle out the current low skilled TFW, close the damn program.
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I must say that I'm having a hard time feeling sad over this, and here's why.

I have NEVER in my life been out of work, except by choice in order to care for my kids. With that, since October I've painstakingly been applying and interviewing for jobs (that are swamped with applicants...its' not uncommon for 2000 Resumes to be sent for one position). In my city, I'd guess that 50-70% of jobs in the administrative field call for a Chinese language, narrowing down potential jobs for me in this region (I've gone well outside of it in my search).

With so many people now losing jobs here (Target, Future Shop, in the oil industry, etc.), it's getting tougher to find a job and although that's what this woman is experiencing in facing going back home, I feel that same pain. It's basically me or her.

Sounds harsh, but I also saw my former boss abusing the TFW program....I believe he may have even been collecting cash from people in his homeland, who he reported as providing jobs to when, in fact, I never saw them work a day at our facility. Something was up there (I got out of there when all business practices became "concerning" to me).

We have to take care of the people who are "permanent fixtures" here who are committed to staying on and contributing...not to take care of family elsewhere. Because it just doesn't make sense to let people "in" for jobs that aren't there...it's slowly becoming the case. We have more and more people bordering on the poverty line here and that should be the number one focus...in getting them on track to a better life.

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"Mary-Ann Salilican moved to Canada from the Philippines six years and six months ago"

How is working here for over 6 years temporary ? This country is a tour de farce at the best of times :picard:

Temporary means "not forever". And that's pretty clear, or should be?

There has been an offer to become a permanent fixture here and those who haven't opted to do so hardly can cry about it? What leads anyone to believe that a permanent deal should go on indefinitely? There is an end to it, and it's not unreasonable to enforce that.

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What's easy is not what's right.

My wife is a permanent resident, and had to go back to her home country in between the time of applying for her permanent residency, and actually receiving it.

I have no sympathy for those incapable, unwilling, or somehow believe that the rules should not apply to them, certainly not for those with little to no qualified skills which would be an asset to the economy (they effectively are a net drain on the society as their costs related to health care outweigh their ability to have a positive impact on the economy).

Her brother is stuck back home, still waiting for his approval for permanent residency, and he's a qualified lawyer in his home country, yes he'd have to study and pass the bar exam here, but once he does he's a skilled member of the society.

It's not fair that these people with little to no skills should bump the line and receive preferential treatment when there are more deserving people following the rules and waiting their turn.

For once I'm actually glad that the Government is doing the right thing, and I hope they stick to their guns. If someone has been here as a TFW for more than 5 years, they should have applied for permanent residency. Ignorance does not belay responsibility.

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Temporary means "not forever". And that's pretty clear, or should be?

There has been an offer to become a permanent fixture here and those who haven't opted to do so hardly can cry about it? What leads anyone to believe that a permanent deal should go on indefinitely? There is an end to it, and it's not unreasonable to enforce that.

Exactly my thoughts.

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As much as it's disappointing for the people involved it was always a temporary program. And if we're really going to address it, they have had a negative affect on our economy. Being that we're supposed to be a market driven economy, the market has said that people won't work these low skilled jobs for the wages offered thus come in the TFW's who will. When wages should have gone up they actually went down. If no one will work at McDonalds for less than $20 an hour then so be it. That's the way the economy works.

As for the TFW's who got stuck in the middle, that's unfortunate but you knew the risk when you came here.

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It's sad for the people going home, yes. But at the same time, employing people who send much of their money out of the country is bad for our economy.

Also, many workers actually leave children and spouses overseas to work. Although the arrangement helps the family financially, it may be better for the social and emotional health of their family for them to be together.

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It's sad for the people going home, yes. But at the same time, employing people who send much of their money out of the country is bad for our economy.

Also, many workers actually leave children and spouses overseas to work. Although the arrangement helps the family financially, it may be better for the social and emotional health of their family for them to be together.

Pretty much this, Canada should not on principle be subsidizing poor economic conditions in 3rd world countries around the world. We have enough economic hardships here at home (homelessness, starvation, drug addiction, crime etc) to take care of before doing other governments' jobs for them.

For countries who see continual exodus of their native population for the purposes of survival and economic sustainability, they should perhaps focus on improving their socio-economic situations. It would then leave those who truly wish to immigrate to do so by legitimate processes, and would also help to alleviate the backlog of paperwork the government is presently faced with.

It's a sad reality, but the world in which we live is a divisive one, ruled by borders and segregation. Ultimately I hope we as a society can get away from that sort of inherent animosity and conflict, but for now we have to face reality and deal with the hand that's been dealt.

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It's sad for the people going home, yes. But at the same time, employing people who send much of their money out of the country is bad for our economy.

Also, many workers actually leave children and spouses overseas to work. Although the arrangement helps the family financially, it may be better for the social and emotional health of their family for them to be together.

Permanent residences and citizens are just as guilty of doing this...

Some PR's only live in Canada for 6 months save their pension money from the government (they get $500 extra if they don't own property...) and then just convert all that money to their ancestral countries currency and then distribute it in the other remaining 6 months..

Heres the kicker they still get full pension money even if they're are abroad for 6 months. The extra $500 is supposed to cover rent and living costs, but since some individuals just live with their families its basically an extra $500 for them.. Two couples equals $2000 dollars a month which isn't a whole lot, but convert that into rupees over a period of saving for 6+ months, and yeah you're essentially rich.

Seriously there are so many flaws in the system.. if you have ever lived in an immigrant community or know someone they will tell you.. Kinda makes me sick to my stomach.

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Frack, who's going to clear our urinals now?

And who is going to make sure our banks increment the interest payments on our savings and investment accounts properly over time?

I know you are just joking around but your post sounds borderline racist, as if all foreigners are good at nothing but McCrap jobs.

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Permanent residences and citizens are just as guilty of doing this...

Some PR's only live in Canada for 6 months save their pension money from the government (they get $500 extra if they don't own property...) and then just convert all that money to their ancestral countries currency and then distribute it in the other remaining 6 months..

Heres the kicker they still get full pension money even if they're are abroad for 6 months. They extra $500 is supposed to cover rent and living costs, but since some individuals just live with their families its basically an extra $500 for them..

Seriously there are so many flaws in the system.. if you have ever lived in an immigrant community or know someone they will tell you.. Kinda makes me sick to my stomach.

The idea behind permanent residency, and ultimately citizenship is, at least to me, such that those who seek those avenues do so because they have a vested interest in a future in this country.

It implies that they have a desire to improve skills/education in order to earn more money. What they do with their income is their business, however so long as they are paying taxes and genuinely spending some money within this economy I don't care if they send some money back home.

I think what you're describing is probably a subset of a subset, an exception to the rule (those who abuse the system because they can). My wife is a permanent resident, and on principle is determined to earn her citizenship herself. I genuinely believe that most who immigrate to Canada, do so because they want a better life for themselves, and their family, not simply to abuse loopholes in a flawed economic system.

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And who is going to make sure our banks increment the interest payments on our savings and investment accounts properly over time?

I know you are just joking around but your post sounds borderline racist, as if all foreigners are good at nothing but McCrap jobs.

I think he's saying that Canadians are too good for those jobs, not that foreigners aren't good enough for anything else.

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And who is going to make sure our banks increment the interest payments on our savings and investment accounts properly over time?

I know you are just joking around but your post sounds borderline racist, as if all foreigners are good at nothing but McCrap jobs.

or it's as if he's referring to the fact that this article is about low-skilled employees working low-skill jobs?

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Frack, who's going to clear our urinals now?

16 year olds who know the value of hard work by the time they are 20.

And who is going to make sure our banks increment the interest payments on our savings and investment accounts properly over time?

I know you are just joking around but your post sounds borderline racist, as if all foreigners are good at nothing but McCrap jobs.

Whoa Whoa Whoa. Don't bust out the R word.

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