Each year, Canada issues hundreds of thousands of work permits to talented people from all over the world interested in emigrating to Canada, but why should you consider becoming a foreign worker in Canada? Here are some important advantages, benefits, and protections for foreign workers in Canada.
Rights, Freedoms, and Protections
As a foreign worker in Canada, you are also protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and you will be paid a fair wage for the work you perform just like a Canadian citizen.
For example, if a Canadian citizen or permanent resident works as a Food Service Supervisor with a wage of around $18 per hour, you, a foreign worker who is working as a FSS will also receive the same salary for that position.
Multiculturalism Experience
In Canada, we pride ourselves as being a multicultural nation. Coming from another country could be a bit of a different experience for a foreign worker. Canada very diverse so you, as a foreign worker, would have a chance to meet people from many different backgrounds. You would find yourself in a rich culture both in the workplace and wherever you live.
For example, when Mingqi Bi was working for an immigration company in Calgary, she worked with people from Canada, China, Korea, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and Nepal. Plus, she lived in a neighbourhood with many immigrant families from around the world as well as native born Canadians.
Family Sponsorship
As we mentioned in a previous 5 for 5 episode, as a permanent resident you can sponsor your family to Canada, and the same is true for foreign workers.
If you meet the requirements set out by IRCC, as a skilled worker, like a retail store manager, baker, or cook, you will be able to help your spouse apply for an open work permit in Canada. This means your spouse can come to work for any employer and live with you in Canada while you are working, too.
There are benefits for your children as well. If you have dependent children, you can also bring them to Canada and they can go to the public schools here for free. For a lot of people, this is a great option as they can live together with their family in Canada while waiting for their permanent resident application results.
Canadian Experience
Have you heard about the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program for applying for permanent residency in Canada?
For a lot of foreign workers, if they want to apply for permanent residency through the CEC program under Express Entry (EE), they must gain enough Canadian work experience first before they submit their EE profile. Additionally, if you, as a foreign worker, have one year of work experience and your spouse applies for permanent residency, your work experience can help your spouse gain more points in their EE profile, which increases the chances of your spouse being invited to apply for permanent residency.
More Protections and Support
If you are a foreign worker with a nomination letter from Canada to become a permanent resident, you can contact settlement organizations in the city you live in and access support like language learning and tax filing assistance. (Always remember to pay your taxes! It’s part of maintaining your permanent resident status and it helps pay for many of the social programs in Canada.)
As a foreign worker, you are also protected by provincial and federal employment laws. For example, if you work for a Canadian employer and the employer doesn’t pay you overtime or occasionally deducts random fees from your pay cheque for no reason or abuses you in any way, you can take the proof of these illegal actions and report the employer to the provincial government. You will be protected by the government from any action that employer tries to take against you for reporting their illegal activities and be granted an Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers” by IRCC so you can find a new, better job. You can usually find the section on reporting abusive employers under the provincial government’s website under “Employment Standards”.
Remember, no one should be charging you any extra money or fees for being a foreign worker; not your employer nor a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. If your employer comes to you and demands money for your job or abuses you in any way, report them right away so they will be investigated and charged by the authorities and you are protected.
While employers abusing their employees doesn’t happen often, remember that there are protections for you if it does.
