Use of temporary foreign workers in business on the rise in Alberta

Alberta employers are increasingly using the federal temporary foreign worker program to fill labor shortages in business, finance and administration.

According to an analysis of CBC/Radio-Canada data from the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) program, figures show a 1,251% increase in approvals granted to Alberta employers to hire temporary foreign workers in the fields of business, finance and administration between 2018 and 2023.

Although an increase in the number of positions approved under theLMIA does not necessarily mean that there are more temporary foreign workers in the country, it does however show the growing interest of employers in this program.

Cristina Schultz is responsible for recruitment at About Staffing in Calgary. According to her, it is a very interesting turn of eventsas employers turn to temporary workers, even in fields such as accounting and finance.

It is a unique trend to see employers moving towards being more open to this transferable experience rather than the fundamental knowledge of the work done locallyshe explains.

Prejudices about temporary contracts

According to her, the increase in temporary contracts is partly due to the fact that companies want to have an eye on their finances. Instead of hiring permanent staff, some employers look for people who can help out for just as long as needed.she explains.

She notes that the local residents who were previously willing to take these jobs may no longer be willing due to prejudices that temporary contracts mean lower wages or lower market value.

As a result, the people who accept these positions are employees who are “willing to do just about anything to keep themselves going and put down roots because a temporary job offer allows them to get their foot in the door.” ‘no matter what business’, according to Ms. Schultz.

While this trend may be surprising, Mike Holdenchief economist and vice president of policy at Business Council of Albertabelieves it is important to add that, historically, these jobs are more difficult to fill.

The recent report of Business Council indicates a 250% increase in job postings in accounting, insurance and related administrative professions between 2019 and 2023.

Mr. Holden believes, however, that this trend is unlikely to last long, given the slowdown in hiring and the tightening of restrictions imposed by the federal government on temporary workers.

In the long term, one might expect or hope that this type of situation will correct itself, whether because the shortage creates wage pressures on these positions or because more Canadians or people studying in the Canada assume this salary pressure as part of their studiesexplains Mr. Holden.

The most approved jobs for temporary foreign workers in 2023 are counter servers with 2,828 approvals, followed by farm workers with 2,723 approvals as well as cooks and food service supervisors.

The race for permanent resident status

Arrival from the Philippines in 2009, Jenefer Singh says she is happy to see that there are more jobs in the business field for immigrant workers.

After working for 4 years at the food counter of Dairy Queenshe was ready to pack her bags and return to her home country, because to become a permanent resident she needed to find a higher-skilled job or be promoted to supervisor.

I don’t mean that me and my colleagues at work were in competition, but everyone needed the same position to get a permanent residence permitsaid Ms. Singh.

The Saint-Albert resident obtained her tenure in 2014 after her promotion to Dairy Queen. I’m happy to be able to stay hereshe confides.

With information from Karina Zapata, Paula Duhatschek and Nael Shiab