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Canada seeks 3
lakh workers from India
WSN Network
CHANDIGARH:
Canada, one of the Punjabis’ most favoured destinations for
immigration, is opening its doors for manpower from outside by
offering three lakh jobs for skilled and unskilled labourers in the
next two to five years. Patrick Brown, Canadian MP and chairperson
of Canada-India Committee of Parliament, had more good news to
announce here on Friday. ‘‘We want doctors, engineers and truckers
on priority and there is a vast need for unskilled labourers in oil
fields and energy sector which are growing very fast.
Such is the
urgency that restaurants and oil fields are willing to pay as much
as $20 an hour for extra hands,’’ he said. For unskilled labourers,
there may not be any directive for easing rules on permanent
residency, but Canada is taking steps to facilitate recognition of
skilled persons who have not been able to find jobs suitable to
their areas of expertise. Brown said a new government agency on
foreign credentials was being set up which would help the new
immigrants acquire proper credentials and recognition in Canada.
‘‘It is sad to see that the waiting list for conducting MRIs is
almost 54- week-old due to shortage of medical experts while
immigrant doctors drive taxis or deliver pizzas because they are not
aware of the requirement to clear an equivalent exam and residency
in local hospital to qualify for a doctor’s job,’’ he said. ‘‘We are
now putting up the relevant laws and rules about the foreign
credentials
agency on a
website by the ministry of immigration.’’
The Canadians
are also interested in exporting their eco-friendly technology and
FDI to
India.
‘‘India is becoming a global success today, and we also want to be a
part of that success story,’’ said Brown, outlining his country’s
plans of exporting technology in solid waste management, supplying
potable water, ecofriendly energy plants.‘‘Canada signed an
agreement on science and technology with India
for exchange of technology, but the two countries have not made any
headway. We can definitely share our resources in education and
environment sectors,’’ the MP stated.
During their
interaction with Punjab
officials, a suggestion to link institutes in Canada and India
to facilitate transfer of manpower and technology came up for
discussion. Punjab
was already in the process of establishing foreign training and
employment bureau under the Punjab State Council for Employment
Generation and Training, said N S Kalsi, secretary, employment
generation department. D L Sharma, member of Punjab
council of CII and executive director of Vardman group, said: ‘‘Punjab
should grab this opportunity since it enhances employment
opportunities for its people. The state can also do its bit to
provide means and technology to hone the skills of its people who
can opt for these jobs.’’
12 September 2007
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