The Canadian government has announced its plans to impose stricter requirements on companies and employers hiring foreigners for temporary jobs.
Starting from May 1, 2024, the time for foreigners with temporary work permits will be shortened to six months. The government aims to prioritize employment for Canadians and asylum seekers with valid work permits.
The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, revealed that the country will discontinue some time-limited measures under the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program’s Workforce Solutions Roadmap.
This move is part of Canada’s effort to reduce its reliance on temporary foreign workers and support job opportunities for its citizens.
Under the new measures, the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) validity period will be reduced to six months, and the cap for low-wage temporary foreign workers in certain sectors will be lowered from 30% to 20%. Employers will be required to consider employing asylum seekers with valid work permits before seeking an LMIA.
Additionally, starting from January 1, 2024, employers will need to reassess the wages of temporary foreign workers to align with prevailing wage rates for their specific occupation and work region.
Canada acknowledges the contribution of temporary foreign workers in addressing short-term labor shortages and skill gaps, enhancing the country’s competitiveness, and providing practical experience for foreigners.
However, the government aims to strike a balance by prioritizing job opportunities for Canadians while protecting the rights of temporary foreign workers.
Other countries, such as Germany and Japan, are also taking steps to boost employment opportunities for immigrants.
Germany will introduce opportunity cards for immigrants in June, allowing them to search for jobs and renew permits. Japan has announced vacancies in the logistics and transportation sectors for foreign workers, with specific criteria to be met before employment.
Article updated 1 week ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
