Social Analysis Proposal - Group 4

Social Analysis Project Proposal

“Migrant Workers in Canada”

Bashad Mahmood - 300910831

Kenneth Li - 300846869
Marlenys G. Barrios - 300880135
Inderjit Singh - 300901334

Global Citizenship (SEC. 913)

Ahmed Ilmi

Friday, February 10, 2017

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As a group, we concluded that Migrant Workers is a considerable issue in

Canada. We have learned from local news that individuals seeking a better chance for

employment face multiple challenges during their stay in Canada. We believe these

difficulties include discrimination, limited access to services, and acquiring permanent

residency. We have also heard from foreign workers themselves that they often

encounter discrimination and abuse in which they cannot report due to fear of losing

their jobs and eventually getting deported. Even though they pay their fair share of

taxes, their access to health and settlement services is quite limited. They also struggle

with acquiring permanent residence, as it is too expensive for them to pay all the fees or

hire a lawyer in order to make the transition.

The problem concerns us because as newcomers, we immigrated to Canada

with many expectations. We were hoping to be treated equally and have a chance to

become part of the labor force in our respective fields. Our aim was to contribute to

Canada’s economy and enjoy a better quality of life. As time passed, we started to feel

as though we are part of Canada’s invisible minority workforce. This issue is also

directly linked to our future professional life. Since our previous education and

experience are from foreign countries, we will most likely be viewed as low-skilled

workers, treated poorly, and be discriminated by Canadian employers.

Some of the questions that our group has about this social issue include: how

come there has been no attempt to help create an environment in which workers can

express their problems of abuse without losing their jobs and deportation? Why is their

health and settlement services limited even though they pay taxes like every Canadian

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Citizen? We will go about structuring our social analysis paper by breaking it down into

three main sections. The first section will include an introduction of the social problem

that we chose along with bringing up valid points that connect our social problem to the

course. The second section will consist of the actual social analysis of our topic and a

broad view of perspectives on the issue. Lastly, we will summarize the main points of

the social analysis and think of two recommendations for social action that could help

with the social problem. This is how we will be structuring our social analysis paper to

make it as clear and concise as possible.

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Annotated Bibliography

Pysklywec, M., McLaughlin, J., Tew, M., & Haines, T. (2011). Doctors within borders:
Meeting the health care needs of migrant farm workers in Canada. Canadian Medical
Association Journal, 183(9), 1039–1042. doi:10.1503/cmaj.091404

The journal published on Canadian Medical Association Journal gives fairly in-
depth information about migrant workers' health care. From explaining the coverage that
workers get to the most common types of health issues that affect them and more. The
contribution of this work helps give a further understanding to the health care situation
of migrant workers and the other problems that come with it such as the many barriers
that prevent workers from using their health care services. The strengths of the work are
that it goes in-depth in most of the information and the points are backed up by quite a
numerous amount of references. Values that this source will have on our social analysis
is that it offers a lot of in-depth information about the
problems with the health care system for migrant workers and statistics. It is extremely
useful for strengthening our understanding and helps back up a lot of our views on the
social analysis. In conclusion, the journal published on the Canadian Medical
Association Journal is an extremely valuable source that contributes greatly to our
social analysis.

Lee, M. S. (2012, December 7). One migrant worker’s story is Canada’s story Retrieved
from http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/min-sook-lee/tvo-why-povery-film_b_2250931.html

Published on the website of The Huffington Post. This article is part of the “Why
Poverty?” campaign. The filmmaker, who wrote this article was interested in knowing
what did happen to those families who left their countries. He was also concerned about
people's identities and lives while looking for jobs in Canada. Migrant workers often
become exploited and abused because they have limited knowledge about their rights
as a worker, as well as a human being. The writer’s film has been used extensively in
educational and activist settings to raise awareness about the conditions of migrant
workers in Canada. I believe newspapers bring information to the public that the
government decides not to disclose. Hence, I think it is important to take this information
into consideration.

Fiest, R. (2015, April 1). Temporary foreign workers fear for future as deadline arrives.
Retrieved from http://globalnews.ca/news/1917304/temporary-foreign-workers-fear-for-
future- as-deadline-arrives/

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According to the report Canada changed the rules for the program of 2001,
setting a four-year limit for the temporary foreign workers who fill low-skilled jobs across
the country. In 2011, Canada accepted nearly 70,222 temporary foreign workers. So,
the one who has never seen his family for years while working temporarily in Canada
but low skilled cannot secure his future in Canada. Calgary immigration lawyer Peter
Wong said that few temporary foreign workers will be successful in staying. But they
want to stay in Canada.

Leffle, B. Cribb, R. (2016, April 13). Overtime exploitation: one man's claim of a 100 -
hour work a week, and no overtime pay. Retrieved from
http://globalnews.ca/news/2635692/overtime-exploitation-one-man's-claims-of-a-100-
hour-work-week-and-no-overtime-pay/

According to the report, Muhammad Umar Naseem thought Canada would

provide him with a better future than Pakistan. His boss misled him about Canadian
labor law. He used to work 100 hours per week while getting paid for 44 hours only. He
was working up to 16 hours a day while on temporary work permit. His work permit
only allowed him to work at Petrol-Canada. His boss threatened him that he will get
fired if he ever complained against him. Labor lawyer, Fay Faraday says what
happened with him is a common experience for temporary workers in Canada.