Creating a Context of Success:

1
Creating a Context of Success

• How Social, Economic, and Immigrant Policy
  Interactions Provide Resources for Immigrant
  Success

Dan Zuberi Assistant Professor of
Sociology Department of Anthropology and
Sociology University of British Columbia
2
Study Methodology
Vancouver Hotels Seattle Hotels
Globe Hotel Vancouver 21 interviews Union Globe Hotel Seattle 24 interviews Non-Union
Hotel Deluxe Vancouver 17 interviews Non-Union Hotel Deluxe Seattle 15 interviews Union
3

• I think it is good to have them in order to
  prevent having to do all kinds of wild, crazy
  things that you would normally not have to do

- Kendra Smith, Laundry Attendant, Hotel
Deluxe Seattle
4

• But for me is no time available hours to
  work. Like this time, or everyday, stay home
  like last three months. I was two days work. Five
  days off. But off in the home, oh, I am very
  worried. And it's difficult to find another job,
  because everyday have to be on call. Yea, so
  after 800 a.m. and they no call me, so I stay
  home. Oh very worried. No happy.

- Kerry Wong, Room Attendant, Globe Hotel
Vancouver
5

• For me, it's very difficultSo, I don't know
  what's going to happen. But it's very hard for me
  to send back some money to my children in Sri
  Lanka I can't afford it, I have to pay my own
  bills For us we're really badly need the car.
  And um, no security jobs. . . All the house is
  clean. . . The situation is like that. You
  know. If I want to find another job, what job?.

- Elizabeth Hubar, Room Attendant Hotel Deluxe
Vancouver
6

• Yea, I am worried. Because I am thinking, I
  haven't got any insurance and maybe someday I'm
  gonna be sick. And if I go to the doctor, I am
  going to have pay a lot without the insurance.

- Sujita Hassam, Room Attendant at the Globe
Hotel Seattle
7

• Yea, I burn it with hot water and I was a mess.
  I didn't have money to go to the doctor It's
  about a second degree burn. It was like all
  blistered and it was really bad. It was about
  that big I didn't have the money. I owed Uptown
  Hospital still, and so I felt I couldn't go
  there.

- Samantha Beck, Barista, Hotel Deluxe Seattle
8
Policy Recommendations For BC and Canada Based on
Global Hotel Findings

• Raise the minimum wage (and index it to
  inflation)
• Increase refundable tax credits to low-income
  families.
• Re-reform the Employment Insurance system to
  cover a higher percentage of the unemployed
• Provide paid tuition for job training programs
  for those difficulty finding living wage work.
• Expand the number of high quality early childhood
  education spaces to help families of young
  children
• Increase urban infrastructure spending parks,
  public transit, public education, community
  centers, and other civil society institutions.
• Reduce tuition at universities, and expand
  student loan programs to make postsecondary
  education and training a part of lifelong
  learning options for all people living in Canada.