Coalition letter to The Editor
The Edmonton Journal
Letters to the Editor
March 18, 2010
Dear Editor,
RE: “Foreign Worker Abuses on the Rise, NDP Charges, March 18,
2010”
NDP MLA Rachel Notley’s assertion that the government should opt
out of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program immediately is short
sighted and ignores the fact that the TFW program is providing a win-win
situation for both temporary foreign workers and Albertans. Temporary
foreign workers in Alberta’s hospitality industry appreciate the
opportunity to work in Alberta and earn wages several times higher than
what they could earn in their own countries enabling them to send money
home to help support their families.
The vast majority of temporary foreign
workers are extremely well treated and valued by employers and co-workers
alike and are enjoying their Alberta work experience. Many of them want
to eventually return home to their families and friends and those who
want to stay in Alberta can apply to immigrate through the Alberta Immigrant
Nominee Program. Without the TFW program Alberta’s labour shortage
would have forced many restaurants to severely reduce hours or shut down
altogether resulting in staff/management burn out, less customer service,
and less economic growth, while robbing thousands of temporary foreign
workers and their families the opportunity to improve their quality of
life.
Mark von Schellwitz
Vice President, Western Canada
Canadian Restaurant & Foodservices Association |
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