Hello dear Caregivers,
A while ago I suggested we got together and protested against this enormous delay for the Canadian immigration to process our applications.
They are making the process longer and abusive, changing the rules as it pleases them.
- It takes around 3 months to get a new work permit;
- We are not allowed to take another job while we wait for the permit to arrive;
- Families don't want to hire us when they hear they'll have to wait;
- I cannot estimate how long I'll work for the new family, for as soon as I get my Open Permit I will take another job (so it will be unfair for the host family);
- The Open Permit was promised to June 2011, and now it's delayed to mid November; (more than 5 months delay, and it keeps taking longer);
- I can't afford to pay for health care;
- I can't afford to pay for accommodation without an income;
- I applied for jobs in the area that I graduated, but because the Open Permit never arrived I couldn't take the jobs. And no employer has patience to "hold" the job for me until the immigration releases my Permit.
I am sure there are many other stories, specially about relatives waiting to come to Canada, which is not my case. But I think it's time we gather together across the country and make our voices be heard.
I suggest we get organized and protest pacifically.
I am sure most of us are honest, hard-working nannies who have done our part of the deal. We worked our hours, showed up on time, did all of our obligations and much more.
And what about the government's part of the deal? Did Canada invite us to the country to shame and starve us? This is not what I came here for. We all have dignity, and we deserve to be respected.
I propose we strike for a day and parade in the downtown areas of our cities. For those who can't really not show up to work, I suggest you ask permission for your host families to bring the children with you to the Protest Area. We should have signs, printed out material about what the government promised, and how the process has gotten more difficult.
Your suggestions are welcome! Let's get together and seek our rights! The government in BC recently came up with a pilot project to give the right to family members of temporary works to be able to work. And what about us??? We have worked at least 2 years in the Live-in Caregiver. So, while we wait for Permanent Residency, we should have the right to take any job as well!
A while ago I suggested we got together and protested against this enormous delay for the Canadian immigration to process our applications.
They are making the process longer and abusive, changing the rules as it pleases them.
- It takes around 3 months to get a new work permit;
- We are not allowed to take another job while we wait for the permit to arrive;
- Families don't want to hire us when they hear they'll have to wait;
- I cannot estimate how long I'll work for the new family, for as soon as I get my Open Permit I will take another job (so it will be unfair for the host family);
- The Open Permit was promised to June 2011, and now it's delayed to mid November; (more than 5 months delay, and it keeps taking longer);
- I can't afford to pay for health care;
- I can't afford to pay for accommodation without an income;
- I applied for jobs in the area that I graduated, but because the Open Permit never arrived I couldn't take the jobs. And no employer has patience to "hold" the job for me until the immigration releases my Permit.
I am sure there are many other stories, specially about relatives waiting to come to Canada, which is not my case. But I think it's time we gather together across the country and make our voices be heard.
I suggest we get organized and protest pacifically.
I am sure most of us are honest, hard-working nannies who have done our part of the deal. We worked our hours, showed up on time, did all of our obligations and much more.
And what about the government's part of the deal? Did Canada invite us to the country to shame and starve us? This is not what I came here for. We all have dignity, and we deserve to be respected.
I propose we strike for a day and parade in the downtown areas of our cities. For those who can't really not show up to work, I suggest you ask permission for your host families to bring the children with you to the Protest Area. We should have signs, printed out material about what the government promised, and how the process has gotten more difficult.
Your suggestions are welcome! Let's get together and seek our rights! The government in BC recently came up with a pilot project to give the right to family members of temporary works to be able to work. And what about us??? We have worked at least 2 years in the Live-in Caregiver. So, while we wait for Permanent Residency, we should have the right to take any job as well!
