Construction Workers’ Perception of Temporary Foreign Workers in Metro Vancouver
This document is a key resource
- Date
2009
- Authors
Ahna Kim and Dominique Gross
- Abstract
The Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program has requirements concerning wage and job conditions for the hiring of TFWs so that there is no adverse effect on local workers. Basic economic theory predicts, however, that these conditions are likely to affect the economic prospects of resident workers in the long run, thereby possibly generating negative perceptions from them. Using the results of a survey of resident construction workers in Metro Vancouver, we show that a large minority considers financial prospects and job security to be altered by the availability of TFWs. The degree of negative sentiments, however, varies with personal characteristics such as age and skill level. Also resident workers tend to overestimate the size of the temporary foreign workforce, which increases negative adverse perception. Hence, policies that improve information on TFW program and on availability of jobs may help alleviate negative sentiments.
- Series title
Working Paper Series
- Document number
No 09-07
- Responsible institution
Metropolis
- File Attachments
- Links
- Economic sectors
Construction trades helpers and labourers
- Content types
Policy analysis and Numbers of migrant workers
- Target groups
Researchers
- Geographical focuses
British Columbia
- Spheres of activity
Sociology
- Languages
English