New rules?
No fees may be charged to foreign caregivers and nannies for finding them job in Canada
If you are a caregiver interested in working in Canada, you should be aware of new rules and regulations that are coming into force in many Canadian provinces and territories. Canadian government is taking a strong position on recruiters who charge foreign workers for placement in Canada. While most of the outrage is directed towards agents and job brokers who charge high amounts for non-existing jobs, the final outcome is that no agency will be able to charge the foreign worker anything.
Many of you are aware of the hard work that your agency does on your behalf and realize that you would not be able to do it alone. You don't mind paying for the services. However, the sad truth is that if the agency found you a job, they cannot charge you for anything, even the work that relates to immigration paperwork - application for work permit and representation before Canadian immigration authorities.
How will the new rules affect you, the caregiver?
Most of the reputable agencies will close their doors. Those who will still be operating will charge the employers for work done on behalf of the employer and you. The cost to the employer will triple. Most of the employer will refuse to pay the high fees and will attempt to recruit directly.
If you find employment through direct recruitment, it will be up to you to make sure that you qualify for the program and that all your documents are in order. Your application for work permit must be prepared so that the visa officer finds all relevant information. You won't have anyone to help you or represent you once the application is sent to the visa office.
If you were successful and received your work permit, you will have to arrange your flight and make sure that your future employer is expecting you in Canada.
If you lose your job, you will have to find yourself another job and apply for a new work permit. If you make a mistake and break the rules, you may end up being sent back to your home country. You will have to rely on yourself and the publicly available information to do everything right.
What can you do?
If you find a job through direct placement and are afraid to do all the paperwork alone, you may wish to retain a professional to do the paperwork. A certified immigration consultant (a member of Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants) or a lawyer licensed to practice in Canada may assist you and guide you through the process, before and after arrival in Canada. However, the consultant or the lawyer will not be responsible for your welfare once you are in Canada. For example, they will not find you a new job if you lose the one you had. They are not allowed to.
What does it all mean?
You will lose the safety net that was provided to you by your agency. You will be left unprotected if you find yourself in an abusive relationship with your employer. You will have to find new place to live and new job if the employment does not work out.
You will have to have a decent knowledge of immigration rules and the labour standards of the province where you are going to work. You will have to be able to protect yourself and know where to find help. You will be practically left alone.
