What Are The Challenges Of Immigrants In Canada
Examine the Challenges of Immigrant in the Canadian Labour Market
Abstract
The last few decades have witnessed both an expansion and a transformation of immigration flows, which pose significant challenges with respect to how people work with differences across culture and space. Against this background, this paper is mainly to explore what are the challenges of the new immigrants face in the Canadian labour market. According to new data from the Labour Force Survey, released by Statistics Canada, immigrants who landed between 2001 and 2006 had a national unemployment rate of 11.5%. Most new comers don’t have enough information about the Canadian labour market situation, so they hardly to find a suitable job. The biggest problems include a lack of recognition of foreign credentials and language barriers. In Canada, triggered by unfavorable employment outcomes of immigrants --- the gaps in employment rates of immigrants compared to the native-born, and a rapid rise of the immigrant population …show more content…
during the past twenty years. In addition, the pay issue has been plagued by immigrants as well. Some of them will be forced to take jobs in occupations that will imply lower wages over the long-term than they are qualified for.
Introduction
Since Canada has been fully liberalized acceptance of international immigrants, Canada has become the first choice for the immigrants from one of the countries. Those immigrants start a new life in Canada after hardships; there are struggles and achievements during their survival in a new land. On the skilled migrants’ front, their condition is not bad, so logically speaking, this group of people will rapid integration into the mainstream society and live a prosperous and contented life. However, the reality is the opposite. The reason is simple: most newcomers don’t have enough information about the Canadian labour market situation, therefore they hardly to find a suitable job. Another big problem is a lack of Canada admits degree certificate and language barriers. New immigrants not only compete with the other immigrant, but also compete with the native-born. In addition, the pay issue has been plagued immigrants as well. Some of them will be forced to take jobs in occupations that will imply lower wages over the long-term than they are qualified for. This kind of unfair phenomenon often appears in the immigrants when they are looking for a job.
Currently, each year from all over the world who immigrated to Canada is more than two hundred thousand. According to the data from a labor force survey, the employment rate among immigrants and local Canadian was 75.6% and 82.9% (Statistics Canada, 2011), which means there are many people still unemployed. Even though this rate had little higher than before, the gap between both is wide (Figure 1.). Meanwhile, earnings inequality of immigrants compares to the Canada’s native always exist. Lots of immigrants are not satisfied with the employment situation.
Figure 1.
What difficult do immigrant workers identify in terms of obtaining employment?
People who immigrate to a new country should expect to work hard, probably much harder than they would have had to work in their home country. It needs great courage for someone to take the lead to make the tough decision to leave the familiar behind and embark on a new life and to exploit a new future for themselves. Nevertheless, too often, newcomers to a multicultural area may feel out of place and end up in a small community of their fellow immigrants and fail to embrace the opportunities and advantages of their new country. Here are some possibilities: recognition of diplomats; corresponding level of educational attainment; language barriers; lack of work experience; diverse strength of social networks; and knowledge of and information about the Canadian labour market. These issues are particularly relevant for those who have landed recently. Then, I will explain several of obstacles.
1. Language barriers
When new immigrants are looking for a job, they found that many company recruitment requirements are: Candidates must be fluent in English, even French. Whereas, these immigrants living in their mother country and speak their own language since they were born. English is a second language for them. Especially the oral expression ability is poor. They are hard to communicate well with others. What’s worse is they may find their language skills stop them from being accepted both in the workplace and socially. Despite how much they practice, the accent will not disappear. Moreover, it’s very difficult for elder to learn the language that they ever heard before. To be honest, native-born are more dominant in terms of language part.
2. The domestic learning experience of immigrants is not recognized in Canada
A large proportion of the investment immigrant and skilled immigrants are finished domestic college and move aboard. Unfortunately, the Canadian government does not approve every university in the world. Also, many immigrants may find that their skills are not appreciated. For instance, many doctors, lawyers, and engineers from countries such as Vietnam or Pakistan have found that once they leave their homeland, their credentials are worthless. They simply did not meet the standards of the new country. Thus when immigrant hand in the resume, the company cannot figure out whether it is true education. Unless you graduated from an official school, or no one hires you. The feeling of being a second-class citizen is both insulting and depressing.
3. Lack of work experience
If the immigrant does not conform to the requirements of the above two points, then he has no work, how can work experience? Or, even if the applicant has the overseas work experience, but there is no evidence of authority. The recruitment unit doesn’t accept either.
Earnings differences between immigrants and the Canadian-born
Statistics Canada released the 2011 "National Household Survey" (National Household Survey) report revealed that about 480 million people living in poverty in Canada, the ratio closer to 15% of the total population. In a low - income neighborhood in the ratio of minorities and immigrants is higher. The majority of migrants made risky and perilous boat trips to Canada, where they were generally hired to do the dirty work at rates much lower than other Canadian. Immigrants to Canada tend to earn less money in the labour force than Canadian-born workers. The average salary per hour of an immigrant worker in 2008 was $21.44, $2.28 less than the $23.72 Canadian-born individual earns (Lightman & Gingrich, 2012). Such discrimination and poor treatment of immigrants is an all too common story throughout history. Compared with their Canadian-born duplicate copy, hireling migrants between 25 and 54 years old male have higher levels of college education. The wage gap was about $5 an hour when collating immigrant and Canadian-born workers who both have university degrees. Based on the report, they deduce from literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills of immigrants and native-born. It is easy to see from the image below, that newcomers hardly catch the steps with the locals. The techniques allocation is higher for the Canadian-born than immigrants, with the disparity in gauged skills half indicating proficient in either English or French (Statistics Canada, 2009).
At the same time, they note that the results are compared to their education, arrived in Canada before those who get some or all of the education, there were significant differences in the new immigrants in Canada. Foreign education immigration has a much lower average skill level and profit, more than education in Canada (Figure 2.).
Figure 2. Comparison of various kinds of ability, for immigrants and the Canadian-born, Canada, 2009
However, according to data shows, although migrant wages rising slightly in recent years, but it is always less than Canada local wages (Picot& Piraino, 2012, p. 24). Hence, on the journey to increase the revenue of immigrants, there is still a long way to go (p. 25).
How to change the status quo?
Immigrants to Canada in order to obtain career success and life happiness, in theory, can be achieved.
First, the government support is necessary. As we all know, immigrants usually bring economic benefits and increase population in Canada. Because of them, this country is full of vitality. For this reason, everyone in here is equal; everyone has the right to realize their own value. What should Canadian government dose is fair treatment of immigrants; and try the best to help them without discrimination. For example, building some primary language schools to tutor immigrants improve their English. Second, immigrants need to improve their own quality, to enhance their strength. Another way to make a living is a self-employed. Third, immigrants should keep a good attitude, do not aim too high. Fourth, immigrants had better to join in union, so that if their rights are violated, then they have a way to appeal. Let 's discuss them one by
one.
1. Support of Canadian government.
First, skilled immigrants must before to add their overseas accept a professional training degree evaluated. Second, a new federal technology points selection scheme, a substantial increase in demand for language skills. Third, increase the federal skilled migration and the number of absorbing provincial nominee program. Fourth, since 2006, a sharp an additional new resettlement service, sum up to 3 times of the original.
2. Immigrants can go to learn some additional new technology, improve their competitiveness and clear know the labour market situation.
3. Positive attitude.
Newcomers to Canada 's most important is to adapt to the new environment, without complaint, the key is to recognize their own shortcomings, and to intensify learn new knowledge, and understanding of Canadian life, and then, only in local talent to appreciate. Canada is a lot of people look forward to in the country, every one immigrant Canadian friends ' hearts have a dream in Canada, but Canadian immigration life is often unsatisfactory, because of the language, culture and lifestyle differences, to fully integrate into Canadian life also need a period of adaptation and adjustment.
4. Join into the union.
Unions negotiate with employers on behalf of its members, to fight for better wages and benefits. Union members in employment and dismissal if they feel unfairly treated process can redress its trade union complaints. The union is between the intermediary between employees and employers. On behalf of employees in a way they sound, which caused some pressure on management to the creation of a healthy work environment can promote (Reitz &Verma, 2004, p. 868).
Conclusion
New immigrants arrived in the Canada face a new circumstance. They tend to go through three stages: fresh period, loss of and adaptation period. To successfully reach the adaptation period is necessary after a heavy storm. Besides, during in the job search process, plenty of challenges are waiting for them. In general, the number shows that immigrants are not performing well in the labour market on numerous measures, including employment rate, income, etc. Immigrants are also not likely to obtain employment in jobs that utilize their skills. Reasons for this involve language barrier, fail of work experience, have no networks, and lack of recognition certificates. Furthermore, the recruitment unfair business practice is deeply troubled immigrants as well. Moreover, income inequality between immigrant and Canadian-born is a fact that cannot be ignored.
Community groups, human resource managers, employers and governments need to work together to solve those problems about immigrants. Employment is the main settlement need of most newcomers and it influences other aspects of disposal and chances, like where a person can afford to live, what services they access, and what opportunities they can afford. Employment is a concrete expression of social containing. On the other hand, immigrants also need to change themselves. “Cream rises to the top,” says the proverb.
Despite it’s the challenging road for immigrant job seekers, but people are still willing to immigrate to Canada endless. I hope in the near future immigrants were able to quickly adapt to life in Canada, and to find a satisfactory job.
References
Lightman, N., & Gingrich, L. G. (2012). The intersecting dynamics of social exclusion: Age, gender, race and immigrant status in canada 's labour market. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 44(3), 121-145. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1437350830?accountid=13908
Picot, W. G., & Piraino, P., (2012). Immigrant earnings growth: Selection bias or real progress? Statistics Canada. 340. Catalogue no. 11F0019M. Retrieved from http:// http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11f0019m/2012340
/part-partie1-eng.htm
Reitz, J. G., & Verma, A. (2004, October 01). Immigration, Race, and Labor: Unionization and Wages in the Canadian Labor Market. Industrial Relations, 43(4), 835-854. doi:10.1111/j.0019-8676.2004.00364.x
Statistics Canada. (2012, May 1). Earnings differences between immigrants and the Canadian-born – The role of literacy skills. 9 (1). Catalogue no. 81-004-XIE. Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/2008005/article
/10798-eng.htm
Statistics Canada. (2012, December 14). Study: Canada 's immigrant labour market, 2008 to 2011. Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/121214/
dq121214b-eng.htm
Abstract
The last few decades have witnessed both an expansion and a transformation of immigration flows, which pose significant challenges with respect to how people work with differences across culture and space. Against this background, this paper is mainly to explore what are the challenges of the new immigrants face in the Canadian labour market. According to new data from the Labour Force Survey, released by Statistics Canada, immigrants who landed between 2001 and 2006 had a national unemployment rate of 11.5%. Most new comers don’t have enough information about the Canadian labour market situation, so they hardly to find a suitable job. The biggest problems include a lack of recognition of foreign credentials and language barriers. In Canada, triggered by unfavorable employment outcomes of immigrants --- the gaps in employment rates of immigrants compared to the native-born, and a rapid rise of the immigrant population …show more content…
during the past twenty years. In addition, the pay issue has been plagued by immigrants as well. Some of them will be forced to take jobs in occupations that will imply lower wages over the long-term than they are qualified for.
Introduction
Since Canada has been fully liberalized acceptance of international immigrants, Canada has become the first choice for the immigrants from one of the countries. Those immigrants start a new life in Canada after hardships; there are struggles and achievements during their survival in a new land. On the skilled migrants’ front, their condition is not bad, so logically speaking, this group of people will rapid integration into the mainstream society and live a prosperous and contented life. However, the reality is the opposite. The reason is simple: most newcomers don’t have enough information about the Canadian labour market situation, therefore they hardly to find a suitable job. Another big problem is a lack of Canada admits degree certificate and language barriers. New immigrants not only compete with the other immigrant, but also compete with the native-born. In addition, the pay issue has been plagued immigrants as well. Some of them will be forced to take jobs in occupations that will imply lower wages over the long-term than they are qualified for. This kind of unfair phenomenon often appears in the immigrants when they are looking for a job.
Currently, each year from all over the world who immigrated to Canada is more than two hundred thousand. According to the data from a labor force survey, the employment rate among immigrants and local Canadian was 75.6% and 82.9% (Statistics Canada, 2011), which means there are many people still unemployed. Even though this rate had little higher than before, the gap between both is wide (Figure 1.). Meanwhile, earnings inequality of immigrants compares to the Canada’s native always exist. Lots of immigrants are not satisfied with the employment situation.
Figure 1.
What difficult do immigrant workers identify in terms of obtaining employment?
People who immigrate to a new country should expect to work hard, probably much harder than they would have had to work in their home country. It needs great courage for someone to take the lead to make the tough decision to leave the familiar behind and embark on a new life and to exploit a new future for themselves. Nevertheless, too often, newcomers to a multicultural area may feel out of place and end up in a small community of their fellow immigrants and fail to embrace the opportunities and advantages of their new country. Here are some possibilities: recognition of diplomats; corresponding level of educational attainment; language barriers; lack of work experience; diverse strength of social networks; and knowledge of and information about the Canadian labour market. These issues are particularly relevant for those who have landed recently. Then, I will explain several of obstacles.
1. Language barriers
When new immigrants are looking for a job, they found that many company recruitment requirements are: Candidates must be fluent in English, even French. Whereas, these immigrants living in their mother country and speak their own language since they were born. English is a second language for them. Especially the oral expression ability is poor. They are hard to communicate well with others. What’s worse is they may find their language skills stop them from being accepted both in the workplace and socially. Despite how much they practice, the accent will not disappear. Moreover, it’s very difficult for elder to learn the language that they ever heard before. To be honest, native-born are more dominant in terms of language part.
2. The domestic learning experience of immigrants is not recognized in Canada
A large proportion of the investment immigrant and skilled immigrants are finished domestic college and move aboard. Unfortunately, the Canadian government does not approve every university in the world. Also, many immigrants may find that their skills are not appreciated. For instance, many doctors, lawyers, and engineers from countries such as Vietnam or Pakistan have found that once they leave their homeland, their credentials are worthless. They simply did not meet the standards of the new country. Thus when immigrant hand in the resume, the company cannot figure out whether it is true education. Unless you graduated from an official school, or no one hires you. The feeling of being a second-class citizen is both insulting and depressing.
3. Lack of work experience
If the immigrant does not conform to the requirements of the above two points, then he has no work, how can work experience? Or, even if the applicant has the overseas work experience, but there is no evidence of authority. The recruitment unit doesn’t accept either.
Earnings differences between immigrants and the Canadian-born
Statistics Canada released the 2011 "National Household Survey" (National Household Survey) report revealed that about 480 million people living in poverty in Canada, the ratio closer to 15% of the total population. In a low - income neighborhood in the ratio of minorities and immigrants is higher. The majority of migrants made risky and perilous boat trips to Canada, where they were generally hired to do the dirty work at rates much lower than other Canadian. Immigrants to Canada tend to earn less money in the labour force than Canadian-born workers. The average salary per hour of an immigrant worker in 2008 was $21.44, $2.28 less than the $23.72 Canadian-born individual earns (Lightman & Gingrich, 2012). Such discrimination and poor treatment of immigrants is an all too common story throughout history. Compared with their Canadian-born duplicate copy, hireling migrants between 25 and 54 years old male have higher levels of college education. The wage gap was about $5 an hour when collating immigrant and Canadian-born workers who both have university degrees. Based on the report, they deduce from literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills of immigrants and native-born. It is easy to see from the image below, that newcomers hardly catch the steps with the locals. The techniques allocation is higher for the Canadian-born than immigrants, with the disparity in gauged skills half indicating proficient in either English or French (Statistics Canada, 2009).
At the same time, they note that the results are compared to their education, arrived in Canada before those who get some or all of the education, there were significant differences in the new immigrants in Canada. Foreign education immigration has a much lower average skill level and profit, more than education in Canada (Figure 2.).
Figure 2. Comparison of various kinds of ability, for immigrants and the Canadian-born, Canada, 2009
However, according to data shows, although migrant wages rising slightly in recent years, but it is always less than Canada local wages (Picot& Piraino, 2012, p. 24). Hence, on the journey to increase the revenue of immigrants, there is still a long way to go (p. 25).
How to change the status quo?
Immigrants to Canada in order to obtain career success and life happiness, in theory, can be achieved.
First, the government support is necessary. As we all know, immigrants usually bring economic benefits and increase population in Canada. Because of them, this country is full of vitality. For this reason, everyone in here is equal; everyone has the right to realize their own value. What should Canadian government dose is fair treatment of immigrants; and try the best to help them without discrimination. For example, building some primary language schools to tutor immigrants improve their English. Second, immigrants need to improve their own quality, to enhance their strength. Another way to make a living is a self-employed. Third, immigrants should keep a good attitude, do not aim too high. Fourth, immigrants had better to join in union, so that if their rights are violated, then they have a way to appeal. Let 's discuss them one by
one.
1. Support of Canadian government.
First, skilled immigrants must before to add their overseas accept a professional training degree evaluated. Second, a new federal technology points selection scheme, a substantial increase in demand for language skills. Third, increase the federal skilled migration and the number of absorbing provincial nominee program. Fourth, since 2006, a sharp an additional new resettlement service, sum up to 3 times of the original.
2. Immigrants can go to learn some additional new technology, improve their competitiveness and clear know the labour market situation.
3. Positive attitude.
Newcomers to Canada 's most important is to adapt to the new environment, without complaint, the key is to recognize their own shortcomings, and to intensify learn new knowledge, and understanding of Canadian life, and then, only in local talent to appreciate. Canada is a lot of people look forward to in the country, every one immigrant Canadian friends ' hearts have a dream in Canada, but Canadian immigration life is often unsatisfactory, because of the language, culture and lifestyle differences, to fully integrate into Canadian life also need a period of adaptation and adjustment.
4. Join into the union.
Unions negotiate with employers on behalf of its members, to fight for better wages and benefits. Union members in employment and dismissal if they feel unfairly treated process can redress its trade union complaints. The union is between the intermediary between employees and employers. On behalf of employees in a way they sound, which caused some pressure on management to the creation of a healthy work environment can promote (Reitz &Verma, 2004, p. 868).
Conclusion
New immigrants arrived in the Canada face a new circumstance. They tend to go through three stages: fresh period, loss of and adaptation period. To successfully reach the adaptation period is necessary after a heavy storm. Besides, during in the job search process, plenty of challenges are waiting for them. In general, the number shows that immigrants are not performing well in the labour market on numerous measures, including employment rate, income, etc. Immigrants are also not likely to obtain employment in jobs that utilize their skills. Reasons for this involve language barrier, fail of work experience, have no networks, and lack of recognition certificates. Furthermore, the recruitment unfair business practice is deeply troubled immigrants as well. Moreover, income inequality between immigrant and Canadian-born is a fact that cannot be ignored.
Community groups, human resource managers, employers and governments need to work together to solve those problems about immigrants. Employment is the main settlement need of most newcomers and it influences other aspects of disposal and chances, like where a person can afford to live, what services they access, and what opportunities they can afford. Employment is a concrete expression of social containing. On the other hand, immigrants also need to change themselves. “Cream rises to the top,” says the proverb.
Despite it’s the challenging road for immigrant job seekers, but people are still willing to immigrate to Canada endless. I hope in the near future immigrants were able to quickly adapt to life in Canada, and to find a satisfactory job.
References
Lightman, N., & Gingrich, L. G. (2012). The intersecting dynamics of social exclusion: Age, gender, race and immigrant status in canada 's labour market. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 44(3), 121-145. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1437350830?accountid=13908
Picot, W. G., & Piraino, P., (2012). Immigrant earnings growth: Selection bias or real progress? Statistics Canada. 340. Catalogue no. 11F0019M. Retrieved from http:// http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11f0019m/2012340
/part-partie1-eng.htm
Reitz, J. G., & Verma, A. (2004, October 01). Immigration, Race, and Labor: Unionization and Wages in the Canadian Labor Market. Industrial Relations, 43(4), 835-854. doi:10.1111/j.0019-8676.2004.00364.x
Statistics Canada. (2012, May 1). Earnings differences between immigrants and the Canadian-born – The role of literacy skills. 9 (1). Catalogue no. 81-004-XIE. Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/2008005/article
/10798-eng.htm
Statistics Canada. (2012, December 14). Study: Canada 's immigrant labour market, 2008 to 2011. Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/121214/
dq121214b-eng.htm