Alberta labor group opposes eased rules for foreign workers

Canada, 18th July: Canada’s recent changes making it easier for skilled foreign workers to enter the province are being unwelcomed by Alberta labor group.

According to Alberta Federation Labor, the changed rules will make foreign workers first preference for employers in Canada. And this is something to worry about for Canadian workers.

Canada eases restrictions on foreign workers—Canada immigration minster Jason Kenney has recently announced slashing down tough norms for skilled foreign workers wanting to come and work in Canada.

The immigration minister stated on Monday the official documentation for recruiting skilled immigrants will become less cumbersome under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Program.

Currently, Canadian province Alberta is experiencing acute shortage of skilled trades people including ironworkers, estimators, millwrights, carpenters, short welders and heavy-duty mechanics.

New relaxed rules come as a great solace for the employers, it is being felt. These rules will help employers hire foreign skilled workers immediately in nations that are visa-exempt including the neighboring US, Kenney quipped.

The only pre-requisite for foreign skilled workers from visa-exempt nations will be to make an application for coming to Canada, he clarified. Canada work permit will be provided at the airport itself, Kenney further added.

New rules-a threat to Canadian workers—Alberta Federation of Labor(AFL)’s Nancy Furlong has alleged that employers will no longer be required to provide a proof of having made sufficient efforts to fill up vacant job positions with Canadian workers first.

And this obviously makes Temporary Foreign Worker program the top choice of employers instead of being the last option, she blamed.

Scrap TFWP-AFL—Furlong did not hesitate to state that its not about solving labor crisis in the Canadian province.

Rather it is a strategy of providing low wages to skilled workers, she clarified while crying foul about Canada’s latest changes to Temporary Foreign Worker program.

She said it’s high time Canada scraps Temporary Foreign Worker Program at the earliest since the program will offer meager safeguards against any misuse of skilled foreign workers at the hands of unscrupulous recruiters asking for exorbitant unlawful charges, the AFL further maintained.

Meanwhile, Kenney defended the changes saying protection to Canadians will be ensured since the government will end the pilot scheme in case the joblessness rate goes up in the wake of changed employment scenario.