In Search of a Better Life: The Experiences of Working Poor Immigrants in Vancouver, Canada

Zuberi, Dan; Ptashnick, Melita

doi:10.1111/j.1468-2435.2010.00659.x

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…As previously highlighted, for most participants these pathways were by no means linear but necessarily fluid, as individuals continually assessed their progress towards their goal and took steps to address any barriers that they encountered. The various barriers migrants encounter in their search for work have been widely documented in the literature (Chaze & George, 2013;Constable et al, 2004;Fuller & Martin, 2012;Reitz, 2007;Zuberi & Ptashnick, 2012) and, on the whole, the findings in this study support previous research. The main barriers are briefly outlined below.…”

Section: Pathway Progressionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Underemployment is closely associated with downward occupational mobility, with comparisons of occupational status before and after migration revealing significant declines on arrival in the host country (Creese & Wiebe, 2012;Hawthorne, 2011;Salami & Nelson, 2014;Warman, Sweetman, & Goldmann, 2015;Zuberi & Ptashnick, 2012 (Chiswick & Miller, 2009;Foroutan, 2011;M. Girard & Smith, 2013), which suggests that primary skill stream applicants may still gain access to highly-skilled employment in the future.…”

Section: Labour Market Performance Of Skilled Migrantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Canada Reitz (2001) has argued that the under-utilisation of skills is a form of employment discrimination based on migrant status and region of origin. In terms of labour market access, perceived discrimination has been reported by skilled immigrants and refugees in relation to skin colour, ethnic or national origin, cultural background, visible difference, English as a second language, overseas qualifications, accent and migration status (Basran & Zong, 1998;Chaze & George, 2013;Colic-Peisker, 2011;Guo, 2015;Hosoda, Nguyen, & Stone-Romero, 2012;MacDougall, 2007;Ngo & Este, 2006;Shinnaoui & Narchal, 2010;Zuberi & Ptashnick, 2012). Much labour market discrimination has been found to be structural in nature and is manifested through proxies such as lack of local work experience, cultural difference and the need to be perceived as the "right fit" (Chaze & George, 2013;Hawthorne, 1997;Ho & Alcorso, 2004;Lee, 2013;Mahmud, Alam, & Hartel, 2014;Wanner, 2001).…”

Section: Discriminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

Scull¹

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Gaining recognition of overseas qualifications represents a major barrier for skilled migrants in Australia and is a primary cause of underemployment. While recent immigration policy initiatives have had some positive impacts on labour market outcomes among skilled migrants, the challenges posed by qualifications recognition remain and skill under-utilisation is a significant issue, particularly for migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The recent Australian literature on skilled migrants focuses predominantly on broader labour market trends and there is little qualitative research that has explored the labour market experiences of these migrants, or the perceived impact of their experiences on settlement.This exploratory study aims to address this gap by focusing on the subjective experiences of overseas-qualified professionals seeking professional re-entry in Australia. Specifically the research focuses on their search for qualifications recognition and skill utilisation, and the perceived impact of this search on settlement. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the study targeted migrants with qualifications and work experience in legally-regulated professions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 CALD overseas-qualified professionals in southeast Queensland. These interviews elicited an in-depth account of their search for professional re-entry, together with their perceptions of how these experiences had affected their settlement. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, which was guided by a conceptual framework that draws together aspects of recognition theory, cultural and social capital.The findings suggest that regardless of outcome, the majority of participants perceived that their search for professional re-entry had been to some extent negative. The search for registration was often characterised by the need for participants to make significant investments of time, money and effort. Despite such investments, many participants perceived that the design and implementation of the qualifications recognition process restricted their ability to demonstrate their linguistic and professional competence. Over half the participants had managed to gain registration, an outcome that represented formal recognition of their professional status. Registration itself, however, did not ensure skill utilisation, and professional re-entry was dependent upon gaining informal recognition in the labour market. In response to challenges encountered in the search for work, participants described a range of strategies they used to develop their employability. Despite these efforts, only six of the 20 participants had achieved professional re-entry at the time of interview.iii Participants' perceptions of how their search for professional re-entry had affected their settlement were inextricably linked with their understandings of settlement. Participants understood settlement as a sense of security and belonging, which could be facilitated by meaningful work. Those ...

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Section: Pathway Progressionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Labour Market Performance Of Skilled Migrantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discriminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

Scull¹

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“…Yet though migration may also prolong their deprivation, the desire to escape poverty that often motivates immigrants (e.g., Foulkes & Schafft, 2010;Tilly, 2001) creates a paradoxical conundrum. Work holds great significance for immigrants themselves, who view it as a direct exit from poverty and as a path to upward mobility and integration (e.g., Kim, Conway-Turner, Sherif-Trask, & Woolfolk, 2006;Zuberi & Ptashnick, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The meaning of work among immigrants living in poverty in Israel: Replanting roots of belonging

et al. 2017

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The global financial crisis has increased the number of working immigrants living in poverty around the world. This article presents and analyses the interaction of work, immigration and poverty among working immigrants in Israel. Methodologically, this study has combined hermeneutic phenomenological and social constructivist approaches and in so doing has aimed to describe the realities of immigrants living and working in poverty. Presenting both men's and women's perspectives, we found that immigrants who work and live in poverty attribute crucial significance to work, which serves as a primary route of integration into the new culture as well as a means of coping with both the uprootedness caused by immigration and the difficulties of living in poverty. However, immigrants’ construction of work as the sole conduit for integration leaves them particularly vulnerable to discriminatory workplace practices.

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“…Many Canadian households reporting food insecurity have at least one formally employed person and lower income levels are closely correlated to food insecurity, which is also linked to poor health outcomes (Loopstra and Tarasuk, 2013;Tarasuk et al, 2013). Low-wage workers in the hospitality and healthcare sector in Metro Vancouver who earned less than a living wage were more likely to report food insecurity as well as challenges securing safe and decent housing (Zuberi, 2011(Zuberi, , 2013Zuberi and Ptashnick, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Certifying voluntary living wage employers

Ptashnick

Zuberi

2015

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy

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Purpose -Living wage campaigns are popular responses to counter increasing inequality in advanced industrial countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine how voluntary living wage employer certification engages business in multi-sectoral coalitions to reduce poverty. Design/methodology/approach -The authors utilize qualitative interviews with 30 members of a living wage employer certification program in Vancouver, Canada as a case study to explore campaign participation by the business community and business case outcomes. Findings -Certifying voluntary living wage employers engaged business community members as partners and advocates in a living wage campaign. Certified living wage employers fulfilled business case projections for worker compensation fairness, human resource improvements and corporate branding advantages.Research limitations/implications -The study focussed on the early stages of a living wage employer certification program. As the number of living wage certification programs and ordinances grows, future research would benefit from examining how different social policy contexts in other Canadian and international regions affects whether these two avenues support one another or one avenue becomes favoured. Originality/value -Most studies of living wage campaigns have not dealt with how voluntary employer certification programs affect campaign participation and outcomes. The approach the authors adopt in the case takes into account the role of voluntary employer certification programs on campaign participation by the business community and business case outcomes. The study findings are of value to businesses, activists and policy analysts, who engage in or study corporate social responsibility initiatives to facilitate the creation of "good jobs" that provide family sustaining wages and benefits, particularly to lower-tier workers.

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In Search of a Better Life: The Experiences of Working Poor Immigrants in Vancouver, Canada

Cited by 19 publications

References 70 publications

Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

The meaning of work among immigrants living in poverty in Israel: Replanting roots of belonging

Certifying voluntary living wage employers

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