TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) and United Steelworkers union (USW) together welcome a comprehensive review of the Temporary Foreign Worker program. We urge the government to consult with all stakeholders including unions, non-profit groups, researchers and the workers themselves, as opposed to past efforts that heavily weighted the input from the business sector.
The controversy over hiring Chinese nationals has unfortunately become racialized and the government should acknowledge that they dropped the ball. The government should acknowledge the reality that there are not enough jobs in the Canadian economy today.
Statements by politicians that suggest a current labour shortage are simply not accurate. They do a disservice to Canadian workers.
We urge the government to boost the economy through additional fiscal spending. The alternative would be the status-quo - sub-par economy growth with unacceptably high levels of unemployment and underemployment which serves to foster resentment over those temporary workers who are necessary.
The CCNC and the USW support a properly-run Temporary Foreign Worker program that requires a thorough check for the availability of Canadian workers, one which is supported by Canadians and one which is regulated to fully protect foreign workers from exploitation and provides them with a path to permanent residency and citizenship.
CCNC and USW call on the federal government to engage in such a meaningful review that is transparent, accountable and involves Parliament and all the stakeholders.
SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)
Victor Wong, CCNC, 416-977-9871 / [email protected]
Ken Neumann, USW, 416-544-5951
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-434-2221 / [email protected]
Share this article