During the recent Covid-19 pandemic, many immigrants lost their jobs. They were unable to support themselves financially. This was revealed by a recent survey.
The effect of the pandemic on newcomers has been disproportionate. This is true for every country around the globe and not just for Canada. Migrants are unevenly represented in essential services. This is also true in industries that have been worse hit by Covid-19 prevention measures.
World Education Services (WES) did conduct a survey to look into the economic well-being of immigrants to Canada. It is an educational credential assessments provider. They drew the results from 7,496 responses that were across three surveys. These surveys were conducted in April, June, and August 2020.
The Survey Results
The survey results show that several immigrants lose their sources of income and failed to meet their basic needs.
- Around 14% lost their jobs due to Covid-19.
- Around 13% are working at either reduced pay or for reduced working hours.
- Another 17% have lost their primary sources of income temporarily.
- Another 6% have lost their jobs permanently.
- One out five is finding it difficult to afford a proper house. However, when it comes to just foreign students, it comes to one out of three.
- One out of 10 is finding it challenging to afford essentials, such as medicine and groceries.
The majority of those who lost their income or jobs failed to benefit from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This was created to address such economic urgencies of the people impacted by the pandemic.
48% did receive the CERB benefits or Employment Insurance. It was the permanent residents who were most likely to receive the benefits.
According to the survey, many immigrants fail to access settlement or employment help from various social service agencies. There are several temporary workers and permanent residents who are least interested in getting in touch with these agencies.
More than half the temporary workers and foreign students do not consider them to be eligible for services. Around 19% of permanent residents tried to contact an agency. At the same time, another 12% said they would like to contact them but do not know-how.
Solutions to Improve Economic Results for Immigrants
- More options to permanent residence for temporary workers need to be provided. These people are at a greater risk as their status does not let them enjoy full legal protection. It also makes them ineligible for any type of economic support.
- The recent pandemic has proven the importance of the need for employment and settlement service interventions. This is especially for foreign students and temporary workers. The importance of this point rises as more and more temporary residents transit to permanent residence. According to the survey, every class of migrants needs to be made aware of the type of support they are eligible to get. They should also be taught how to get such support when necessary.
- The report also points out the importance of policy interventions that will be aimed at systematic issues. These issues are the ones that have caused the immigrants to be affected by the pandemic disproportionately.
According to the report of the survey, “Viewed holistically, the economic vulnerability of the respondents in this study is linked to their employment in precarious, low-wage, and often essential work, reflecting the impact of gender, racialization, and the devaluing of international education and experience in the labor market.” It also says, “Policy interventions aimed at addressing these systemic issues across the Canadian economy—in the context of the pandemic, the recovery, and beyond—will contribute towards mitigating disproportionate negative impacts on immigrants, temporary workers, and international students.”
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