The Impact of Underemployment on Immigrant Families

1
The Impact of Underemployment on Immigrant
Families

• Alba Féliz-Rodriguez Frank Mamoser
• The National Consultation on Career Development
  Ottawa January 23 25 , 2006

2
Introduction

• Under the skilled workers program thousands of
  individuals are admitted to Canada because of
  their high level of labour market skills. These
  workers come to Canada with great hope of
  building a better life for themselves and their
  families. Unfortunately for some, their hope
  does not materialize. Many find themselves
  unemployed, or underemployed. Due to frustration
  some will leave their families in Canada and seek
  employment in countries that recognize their
  qualifications.

3
OBJECTIVES

• Present and discuss the social implications of
  the skilled workers immigration policy.
• Explore the emotional and economic impact of
  underemployment/unemployment on immigrants
  families.
• Look at the process of cross-cultural adjustment
  and its repercussions to successfully integrating
  within the Canadian workforce.

4
Topics of Discussion

• Canadas Immigration Policy
• Skilled workers Immigration program
• The Process of Cross-Cultural Adjustment
• Transition Period
• Decision to Seek employment outside of Canada
• Canadian Benefits as a result of Skilled Worker
  Relocation
• Social Implications as a result of this decision
• Questionaire and Summary
• Suggestions/Solutions

5
Canadas Immigration Policy

• Approximately 200,000 immigrants will arrive in
  Canada this year
• 73 will settle in Toronto , Montreal , and
  Vancouver
• Three Objectives of Canadas Immigration Policy
• The Three Main Immigration Categories
• Economic Category

6
Skilled Workers Immigration Program

• Largest Share of Immigrants aged 25-44 are
  admitted under this Program(76)
• Three quarters(76) of the principal applicants
  were men
• Vast majority(87) have a university degree
• 80 found employment in first two years
• Only 42 found a job in their intended occupation
• See Graph on employment and intended occupation

7
Skilled Workers Program

• Selection Criteria
• - Education
• -Language Abilities
• -Employment Skills
• -Age
• -Arranged Employment before
  coming to Canada
• -Adaptability

8
Skilled Workers Program

• Example of Qualifying Criteria

9
Process of Cross Cultural Adjustment

• You might assume adjustment to a new culture
  might follow a linear path where as it is
  actually a U-shaped curvilinear path
• See Graph

10
Cross Cultural Adjustment

• Stages of the Adaptation Process
• -Early Phase high level of
  adjustment
• -Middle Phase relatively poor
  adjustment
• -Later Phase higher and stable
  level of functioning(employment/social support
  network)
• (source Social Psychology in Cross-Cultural
  Perspective)

11
Cross-Cultural Adjustment

• Factors that can help or hinder Adjustment
• Motivation for entering new culture
• Difference of new culture from ones own
• Rural/urban origin
• Social support and assistance from host culture
• Having ones family along can often exacerbate
  cultural adjustment
• Attitude/disposition
• Expectations
• Previous experience abroad

12
Transition Period Settlement Issues

• Climate
• Language
• Diet
• Housing
• Applying for documents
• Schools for self and children
• Social network
• Stress associated with uncertainty and change
• Sense of loss
• Feeling of incompetence
• Gender role reversal

13
Transition Period / Penalty Employment Issues

• Lack of Canadian Work Experience
• Foreign Credentials unrecognized
• Limited amount of time to enter labour force
• Discrimination/racism
• Ageism
• Knowledge of Canadian labour market
• Cultural Competencies
• Immigration Status
• Language barriers
• Shortage of jobs in certain fields
• Criminal record/security clearance
• Inability to market self
• Lack of networks

14
Decision to seek Employment Outside Canada

• Unemployment
• Underemployment
• Inadequate life style
• Opportunity to rebuild homeland
• Looking for more fulfilling jobs
• Systemic racism
• Accepting Countries

15
Canadian Benefits as a result of Skilled Workers
Relocation

• Monies entering Canadian Economy from Abroad
• Reduction in Social welfare expenditure
• Additional Expertise/experience acquired by
  Skilled Workers
• Reduction of Canadian Unemployment rate

16
Social Implications as a result of these Decisions

• Personal Problems
• Marital Problems
• Parenting Issues
• Social Welfare issues
• Poor Image of Canada and its Immigration policy
  I.e. NotCanada.com

17
Questionaire

• Questionnaire
• 1. How well were you prepared to enter the
  Canadian labour force?
• 2. What information were you given by the
  Canadian consulate prior to coming to Canada
  with regards to employment?
• 3. Do you feel the information was accurate?
• 4. What would you say to other newcomers about
  immigrating to Canada?
• 5. What were the circumstances that led you to
  leave Canada and seek employment overseas?

18
Questionaire

• 6.What are some of the difficulties you face
  while working overseas?
• 7. What has been the impact on your family?
• 8. How could the Canadian Immigration Services
  have helped you to avoid this situation?
• 9. Do you have any other comments?

19
Summary of Questionaire
20
Solutions/Suggestions

• Promote settlement in economic Zones of Canada
  other than Ontario , Quebec , and B.C.
• Support the introduction of immigrants workers to
  the environment and culture of Canadian
  workplaces through mentoring and others programs
• Assist immigrants

21
Suggestions

• Assist immigrants in locating and accessing
  relevant information about