Migrant worker facts for kids
A migrant worker is a person who travels to different places to find work. They often work away from their homes, or sometimes they do not have a permanent home.
The United Nations uses this term to also mean a 'foreign worker'. This is someone who works in a country that is not their own. In the United States, the term often describes people who move a lot to find jobs. It can also mean those who do manual labor, like working on farms, for lower pay.
Migrant workers sometimes face difficult situations. Some may not have the correct legal papers to work in a country. If they are found, they might be asked to leave. Organizations like the International Labour Organization help support them. In 1990, the United Nations also created the Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers to protect their rights.
Often, migrant workers help the local economy by spending their wages in the areas where they work. When countries have open borders, it can make it easier for migrant workers to find jobs. For example, in Europe, countries that recently joined the European Union saw many workers move to countries with higher wages. People who work in foreign countries are sometimes called "expatriates."
Contents
Migrant Workers in Canada
In Canada, migrant workers are usually called foreign workers. More specifically, they are known as temporary foreign workers.
Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Government of Canada has a program called the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This program helps Canadian employers hire people from other countries. They do this to fill temporary job openings or when there are not enough skilled workers in Canada. Employers can only hire foreign workers if there are no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents available for the job.
Canada currently has a big need for workers. The country has a lower birth rate, and many people in the workforce are getting ready to retire. Because of this, Canada needs more people to fill jobs. Immigration is seen as a big part of the solution.
The TFWP makes it easier for Canadian employers to hire international workers. Sometimes, the foreign workers they hire are already in Canada. These skilled workers might be finishing a job contract with another employer. Or, they might have an open work permit. This permit allows them to work for any employer anywhere in Canada.
From Temporary to Permanent Residence
Most temporary foreign workers in Canada are hired for short-term job needs. However, some foreign workers who first came for a temporary job can become permanent residents of Canada. They must meet certain requirements to do this.
Canada has immigration programs that help migrant workers become permanent residents. Examples include the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The Canadian government says these programs help workers who have skills that are still needed. They also help those who have already adjusted well to life in Canada. This allows them to build a future there.
Since March 18, 2020, Canada has been holding special draws for immigration applications. For example, Express Entry Draw No. 148 was specifically for candidates with Canadian work experience. These candidates qualified for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.
In 2011, more than 192,000 temporary foreign workers came to Canada. About 29,000 of these foreign workers eventually became permanent residents of Canada.
Images for kids
-
Migrant workers in California, 1935
-
In Ghana, a migrant hawker carries colorful textiles on his head for sale
-
A Mingong working in China
-
Stranded migrant workers in India during COVID-19 lockdown
-
Migrant agricultural worker's family, California, 1936
-
Group of Florida migrants near Shawboro, North Carolina, on their way to Cranbury, New Jersey, to pick potatoes
See also
In Spanish: Trabajador migrante para niños
