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Journal article

In The Shadows" Exploring The Notion Of "Community" For Temporary Foreign Workers In A Boomtown

Date

2013

Authors

Jason Foster and Alison Taylor

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the oil sands in northern Alberta in the early 21st century led to the use of significant numbers of temporary foreign workers. These foreign workers became a part of the region’s so-called “shadow population.” This paper examines how the presence of foreign workers affects conceptions of community and social cohesion through the experiences of foreign workers employed in oil sands construction. The study finds foreign workers are excluded from the life of the community due to their differential exclusion, vulnerable and precarious connection to the labour market, experiences of discrimination, and conflicted transnational community identities. The paper discusses
the shortcomings of community and social cohesion approaches in addressing temporary foreign workers and considers the policy limitations of a widespread temporary foreign worker program.

Journal title

Canadian Journal of Sociology

Volume

38

Issue

2

Page numbers

167-190

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Economic sectors

Underground mine service and support workers, Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators, and Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

Content types

Policy analysis

Target groups

Researchers

Geographical focuses

Alberta

Spheres of activity

Cultural and ethnic studies and Sociology

Languages

English