Canada’s new caregiver program to offer permanent residency to those qualified

TORONTO—Canada’s immigration minister announced new pilot programs and other enhancements to work permit applications for caregivers. 

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker, which will open for applications on Tuesday, June 18, are new pilot caregiver programs that would replace existing pilots that are soon expiring. 

Each will have a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants per year, plus their immediate family.

Under the new programs, caregivers will only receive a work permit if they have a job offer in Canada and meet standard criteria for economic immigration programs. Once they gain the required 2 years of Canadian work experience, they can apply for permanent residency.

“We want people who are coming to work as caregivers in Canada to have a pathway to permanent residency. This is not a temporary foreign worker program,” Hussen said.

Other benefits under the new pilots are open work permits and study permits for the caregivers’ immediate family, the elimination of the Labor Market Impact Assessment, and the issuance of caregiver-specific work permits rather than employer-specific.

“One of the best things we’ve done is to empower those caregivers to be able to leave their employers by giving them a more flexible work permit. That’s a big change,” he said. 

In addition to the new pilots, the government has also extended the Interim Pathway for Caregivers, which will re-open ‪on July 8 and accept applications for 3 months. Still, advocates are lobbying for more considerations in favor of the many caregivers in limbo by removing or reducing the language and educational requirements.

While the new programs offer solutions to common hurdles that caregivers face in Canada, many are still uncertain they will meet the eligibility requirements. With the community’s continued support, they remain hopeful to gain landed status in the country they served for years.

Read more on Balitang America

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Canada job numbers higher on cannabis boost

OTTAWA, Canada - Canada's pot legalization helped to significantly boost job numbers in November and push the unemployment rate down 0.2 percentage points to 5.6 percent -- the lowest level since 1976, the government statistical agency said on Friday.

In total, 94,000 jobs were added in the month. Gains were spread throughout most of the country, but led by Quebec and Alberta. Only the 4 eastern Maritimes provinces saw no changes, according to Statistics Canada.

It said the number of people employed in cannabis-related jobs -- including bud trimming -- in November rose 266 percent to 10,400, against the same period a year earlier.

Recreational-use cannabis was legalized on Oct. 17, creating an entirely new industry.

More than half of these jobs were in Ontario province, which has the largest concentration of licensed producers.

Pot workers were also paid slightly more than the national average salary, Can$29.58 (US$19.43) versus Can$27.03.

Overall, more people worked in the month in professional, scientific and technical services, which employed an additional 26,000 people; as well as in health care and social assistance; construction; business, building and other support services; transportation and warehousing; and agriculture. 

At the same time, fewer people were employed in information, culture, and recreation jobs.

The private sector increased hiring in the month, while there was little change in the public sector or in the number of self-employed individuals.

Employment increased for both core-aged women and men (aged 25 to 54), as well as for older Canadians aged 55 and over.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Be your own boss: Freelancing tips from author James Frey

MANILA – The number of online jobs has steadily increased in the country as the common millennial pursues a niche in an ocean of career opportunities.

According to US-based online staffing platform Elance, there are currently 1 million Filipino online freelancers in its roster, pursuing jobs in design, programming, administration and marketing.

From January 2010 to April 2014, Filipino freelancers have earned an estimated P9 billion.

But freelancing is more than just choosing a job you can do leisurely. Author and businessman James Frey said that to make big bucks, you have to treat freelancing like any other job.

“I have a work day like everybody else. Every morning I get up and I go to work just like if I was a teacher, a doctor, or construction worker. Everybody has a job, and you get up everyday and go to your job,” he told ANC’s “On The Money.”

Freelancing has its share of risks because it does not guarantee a steady monthly income. To have the extra money for special occasions and emergencies, Frey said he has followed a simple rule: Don’t buy what you don’t need.

“I’m wearing this shirt, I’ve had this shirt for seven years. I don’t need another black shirt. I wear very simple clothing. You only buy what you need. You don’t need an expensive car. I don’t wear a watch or expensive jewelry, none of that stuff matters, what matters is that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family,” he said.

Frey is the author of A Million Little Pieces and one of the writers behind Lorien Legacies, a series of young adult science fiction books.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Top 5 reasons why people leave their jobs

MANILA, Philippines – Why do people leave their jobs?

A recent survey by online recruitment site JobStreet.com showed the offer of a higher salary from another company is among the top five reasons why people leave their job.

The other top reasons are offers of better benefits, not getting along with colleagues, offers of a better work schedule, and lack of recognition.

The survey showed, however, that while the main reason for leaving is an offer of higher pay, employees will stay if they love what they are doing.

According to the survey, “I love what I’m doing” is a common response to job satisfaction inquiries.

“Majority of the respondents, say they stay at their current jobs because they like what they are doing. People leave when they don’t like what they do, regardless of other factors such as compensation, tenure, or having friends in the office. When people don’t find joy in their jobs, all the good things get disregarded,” JobStreet.com said.

Aside from liking what they’re doing, among the top reasons why employees stay are finding a sense of purpose in their work, getting along with colleagues, convenient location, and good salary and benefits.

Employee threshold

The study also suggested that the average of an employee’s threshold, or the length of time they can stay with a company before moving on, is three years.

It showed that over 65 percent of respondents currently looking for a job have been with their companies for three years or less.

JobStreet.com said employees torn between staying or leaving should consider how they are being valued by the company and if the job itself is fulfilling.

“If an organization values you as an employee and you’re happy with what you do, then maybe it’s time to think long term,” the recruitment site said.

A total of 8,532 respondents were asked in the survey conducted in September 2013

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com