Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - July 2007
As the Canadian population continues to age, the growing demand for qualified caregivers is bringing increased pressure to an already-strained system. This has led to the development of a "grey-market" of sorts with under-qualified workers being hired to provide care for elderly parents in families who are unable to find or afford qualified ones.
Qualified caregivers are often employed by agencies who only hire workers who are "bonded, highly trained, police-checked and insured." However, most people who cannot afford the agencies look for caregivers using less formal resources such as word-of-mouth or online postings such as Craigslist. Through such means, many end up hiring women who are living in Canada illegally.
Illegal labour can lead to abuses on both sides. On the one hand, families may receive inadequate care but on the other hand, workers may be underpaid or forced to work long hours. Experts advise families that professionals are worth the extra money. "...the money you're saving, you will end up paying for it some way or another," says consultant Pat Irwin.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada estimates that over 3500 people arrived in the country to work as caregivers in 2006.
Source:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070703.wxlnanny03/BNStory/International/
