Kodi
05-02 01:21 PM
What ethnic cleansing you're talking about? All tamils are not LTTE but all LTTE members are tamils. So you're saying the gov destroying LTTE is wrong because they're tamils and the gov should not try to liberate the country, they should give LTTE what they're asking for and leave it at that. And what's the guarantee that they're going to end it at that.
If there's ethnic cleansing or genocide happening in sri lanka how come tamils lead prosperous lives in other parts of the country?
If there's ethnic cleansing or genocide happening in sri lanka how come tamils lead prosperous lives in other parts of the country?
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number30
04-01 05:27 PM
Well said !
He has mistrusted us. I do remember throwing his wiket by giving simple catch on mid-on/off and getting run out others ! When CBI raided his home, they found 3 -4 crore of watches in his jwell box. Wonder how much money he might have made with working top bookies ? He/Sanjay Dutt and other like them know that it might come back anytime so they are getting prepared politically.
Again, MERA BHARAT MAHAAN !
India Should go election reforms first. All these bad politicians are coming because of voters without responsibility are voting. For some 500Rs is like one weeks ration. So no wander if they sell this commodity. So for the voters we should put the qualifications like paying the taxes are having something like 10 acre of Land or certain education requirement. So that Politicians cannot bribe the voters easily. Also that would stop the announcement like free TV free Laptop. Like US during freedom war no representation no tax. In India it should be no tax no vote. That way we can curb pompous politicians.
In Some way need to avoid such nonsense.
He has mistrusted us. I do remember throwing his wiket by giving simple catch on mid-on/off and getting run out others ! When CBI raided his home, they found 3 -4 crore of watches in his jwell box. Wonder how much money he might have made with working top bookies ? He/Sanjay Dutt and other like them know that it might come back anytime so they are getting prepared politically.
Again, MERA BHARAT MAHAAN !
India Should go election reforms first. All these bad politicians are coming because of voters without responsibility are voting. For some 500Rs is like one weeks ration. So no wander if they sell this commodity. So for the voters we should put the qualifications like paying the taxes are having something like 10 acre of Land or certain education requirement. So that Politicians cannot bribe the voters easily. Also that would stop the announcement like free TV free Laptop. Like US during freedom war no representation no tax. In India it should be no tax no vote. That way we can curb pompous politicians.
In Some way need to avoid such nonsense.
ramus
07-03 05:14 PM
Thanks..
Other members from Ohio please make a call to Ralph Regula..
Ralph Regula in Ohio
Other members from Ohio please make a call to Ralph Regula..
Ralph Regula in Ohio
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lazycis
02-12 10:06 PM
:confused:I apologize for my ignorance but
what is ROW ??
A row — also called a record or tuple—represents a single, implicitly structured data item in a table :) (I think the discussion becomes too hot, time to cool down, folks. The solution is not to remove per country limits, but to increase EB quota or at least to recapture lost visa numbers. Fight for removing per country limits will divide IV and is very unlikely to achieve something.)
what is ROW ??
A row — also called a record or tuple—represents a single, implicitly structured data item in a table :) (I think the discussion becomes too hot, time to cool down, folks. The solution is not to remove per country limits, but to increase EB quota or at least to recapture lost visa numbers. Fight for removing per country limits will divide IV and is very unlikely to achieve something.)
more...
punjabi
07-31 12:23 AM
Remember? In I-485 form, we have to fill Yes/No answers for questions like - have you ever been convicted of a high crime, did you ever involve yourself as a prostitute, etc. etc.
Very soon, USCIS will issue an updated I-485 with added questions like:
a) Have you ever been involved with Quixstar or Amway?
b) If yes, did you ever get successful in rubbing Quixstar shit on other desi(s) whose I-485s are pending with us?
c) Did you ever get f****ed up by your Up-line members?
d) If yes, please provide a notarized documentation on it otherwise you'll see an RFE from us.
e) Do you feel the urge to ask directions from innocent-looking-desi(s) in malls when your wife is accompanying you as well?
f) If yes, beware - she might be explaining the Pyramid Scheme in detail to your guy in your absence. (Some of our 485 applicants are really good, no matter how many detours they need to take in order to reach the top of a pyramid. You might be inviting The One into your life in Walmart Aisle # 17. And "your application" will remain pending forever from there on.)
Very soon, USCIS will issue an updated I-485 with added questions like:
a) Have you ever been involved with Quixstar or Amway?
b) If yes, did you ever get successful in rubbing Quixstar shit on other desi(s) whose I-485s are pending with us?
c) Did you ever get f****ed up by your Up-line members?
d) If yes, please provide a notarized documentation on it otherwise you'll see an RFE from us.
e) Do you feel the urge to ask directions from innocent-looking-desi(s) in malls when your wife is accompanying you as well?
f) If yes, beware - she might be explaining the Pyramid Scheme in detail to your guy in your absence. (Some of our 485 applicants are really good, no matter how many detours they need to take in order to reach the top of a pyramid. You might be inviting The One into your life in Walmart Aisle # 17. And "your application" will remain pending forever from there on.)
radhay
05-29 11:25 AM
60K EB2-I and 60K EB3-I pending so far. Does this mean Eb2 and EB3 dates will move together from now on for India?
more...
PlainSpeak
01-13 03:45 PM
mc,
this guy is pulling u'r chains..... its not she.... its a he.....
u know who this guy is? surprise surprise ....... gcperm is back.... as plainspeak....
hey gcperm aka plainspeak..... long time.... where've u been? i missed u :rolleyes:
Ron Hira my friend you are on an immigration forum and you have an Anti Immigrant login id. Now what could be funnier than that Ha Ha...
As to me being a guy phasshhhhhh i am all female
And i am laughing in my pants seeing you confuse me with GCPerm. I remeber seeing that name on IV before. Was he an EB3 who was kicked out by you guys ?
this guy is pulling u'r chains..... its not she.... its a he.....
u know who this guy is? surprise surprise ....... gcperm is back.... as plainspeak....
hey gcperm aka plainspeak..... long time.... where've u been? i missed u :rolleyes:
Ron Hira my friend you are on an immigration forum and you have an Anti Immigrant login id. Now what could be funnier than that Ha Ha...
As to me being a guy phasshhhhhh i am all female
And i am laughing in my pants seeing you confuse me with GCPerm. I remeber seeing that name on IV before. Was he an EB3 who was kicked out by you guys ?
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chanduv23
02-14 12:34 PM
Watch and see how fast the Michigan government will start issuing DL to H1B holders and to those who has pending I-485.
http://www.aclumich.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=567
https://www.aclumich.org/pdf/licensecomplaint.pdf
If you believe in it, stay put - gather support. Work towards legal opinion. Not sure if IV core endorses it, but use the forum to get support.
Those who are interested must consider forming a mailing list and create a group.
Many people just take the poll, and run away if approached. Let everyone participate wholeheartedly.
IV wants all members to help in the Admin fix - "Letter to the President" campaign and it is very essential we follow peaceful methods. Please help make this campaign successful.
http://www.aclumich.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=567
https://www.aclumich.org/pdf/licensecomplaint.pdf
If you believe in it, stay put - gather support. Work towards legal opinion. Not sure if IV core endorses it, but use the forum to get support.
Those who are interested must consider forming a mailing list and create a group.
Many people just take the poll, and run away if approached. Let everyone participate wholeheartedly.
IV wants all members to help in the Admin fix - "Letter to the President" campaign and it is very essential we follow peaceful methods. Please help make this campaign successful.
more...
olivetheoil
02-13 10:13 PM
Count me in!
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chmur
02-13 12:18 AM
I think the entire community should align behind Administrative reforms with a laser-focus. This initiative is a digression.
IV has had it's own share of success with it's approach. No other methods have succeeded so far .
Also, from my little IV volunteering experience I can vouch that our community has very high inertia and is difficult to organize. people are afraid to send letters to president...good luck in getting them to sue USCIS.
community does not have the bandwidth to take multiple initiatives.
I see no wisdom in doing this. USCIS/DOS can screw us worse , if they wish to . This is not being timid but being pragmatic...anyway the bravado talk also needs to be followed up by multiple clear paths to victory.
IV has had it's own share of success with it's approach. No other methods have succeeded so far .
Also, from my little IV volunteering experience I can vouch that our community has very high inertia and is difficult to organize. people are afraid to send letters to president...good luck in getting them to sue USCIS.
community does not have the bandwidth to take multiple initiatives.
I see no wisdom in doing this. USCIS/DOS can screw us worse , if they wish to . This is not being timid but being pragmatic...anyway the bravado talk also needs to be followed up by multiple clear paths to victory.
more...
villamonte6100
02-15 12:05 PM
I myself wanted to have my greencard NOW!!!
Unfortunately, I have to wait until there is a visa available.
Whether there is a shortcoming on their law here, as aliens, we should also respect the law just like their citizens.
Congress is the only one who could make changes to their existing laws and if they can't do it, bad luck to us.
Their hands are tied.
USCIS cannot do anything because they are just following the law.
Class action is a very big thing and I've read alot of responses here as if filing for a class action is like going to walmart and complain about a defective item you just bought.
I'm not a lawyer but I'm working for a law firm which gives me some idea how the legal system works.
CLASS ACTION AGAINST USCIS? My god, you have no idea what you're talking about.
Unfortunately, I have to wait until there is a visa available.
Whether there is a shortcoming on their law here, as aliens, we should also respect the law just like their citizens.
Congress is the only one who could make changes to their existing laws and if they can't do it, bad luck to us.
Their hands are tied.
USCIS cannot do anything because they are just following the law.
Class action is a very big thing and I've read alot of responses here as if filing for a class action is like going to walmart and complain about a defective item you just bought.
I'm not a lawyer but I'm working for a law firm which gives me some idea how the legal system works.
CLASS ACTION AGAINST USCIS? My god, you have no idea what you're talking about.
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bitu72
11-01 04:54 PM
hi guys,
who have filed recently, can you guys tell me within what time frame are you guys getting a reply.
I have send all paper on 12th of oct they received on 15th.
By when can i expect a letter that they have received it.
how do i know they have received it other than fedex confirmation.
dont they send some letter confirming it.
Bharatpremi,
u r ideas are great if u can work in US and keep canadian PR for citizenship. that should be good enough.
who have filed recently, can you guys tell me within what time frame are you guys getting a reply.
I have send all paper on 12th of oct they received on 15th.
By when can i expect a letter that they have received it.
how do i know they have received it other than fedex confirmation.
dont they send some letter confirming it.
Bharatpremi,
u r ideas are great if u can work in US and keep canadian PR for citizenship. that should be good enough.
more...
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ashutrip
06-26 02:11 PM
Hey...No one can predict anything about Aug and Sept. You just have to wait till you get your LC and then check where dates are and file accordingly. There is nothing you can do about it, so relax and don't worry too much.
If it makes you feel better, then people from 2001/2002/2003 are still still in line. You are lucky at least you have hope that you can file 485 if you get your LC in time.
it tough to so relax and don't worry too much when I am aware that there are people from 2001/2002/2003 are still still in line doesnot make me happy but I can feel for these blokes.:( :(
If it makes you feel better, then people from 2001/2002/2003 are still still in line. You are lucky at least you have hope that you can file 485 if you get your LC in time.
it tough to so relax and don't worry too much when I am aware that there are people from 2001/2002/2003 are still still in line doesnot make me happy but I can feel for these blokes.:( :(
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krishnam70
07-12 02:41 PM
I was looking at the web site and I noticed that most of those stories can be special and unique cases and there is no research or studies to back up the claims in notcanada.com. This makes me think maybe this web site is sponsored by people in Canada who wants to stop legal immigration to their country by publishing in the web site these stories. Some of these stories happen to all immigrants in all countries: in Europe, US, Australia, Gulf countries, etc.. .and maybe Canada too but thy are not specific to canada. if you go to any countries with high immigrants number, you will see cases of people who failed to succeed but it doesn't mean that all the cases are like that.
so before you believe the stories in notcanada.com think about the people who sponsor the web site and their agenda, maybe they just want to scare immigrants away from coming to Canada. Maybe they are just nationalists who don't like immigrants and there are a lot of those in so called developed countries.
This just a thought to consider.
Hassan
It is a fact and I have friends who have been in similar situations, there has been a public outcry by immigrants to canada that they are being treated like 3 class citizens and do not get jobs in their chosen fields but end up as working low paid jobs and are struck. I am not sure about the how much this has changed in the last 2 yrs but it was the situation 2 yrs ago and prompted me to reconsider going back there when its obsolutely necessary. I now heard from some friends IT is picking up again so its probably ok to go there.
BTW its taking anywhere between 52-65 weeks to get Canadian PR now. They process ur initial application after 52 weeks only and any time taken on top of it is extra..
cheers
so before you believe the stories in notcanada.com think about the people who sponsor the web site and their agenda, maybe they just want to scare immigrants away from coming to Canada. Maybe they are just nationalists who don't like immigrants and there are a lot of those in so called developed countries.
This just a thought to consider.
Hassan
It is a fact and I have friends who have been in similar situations, there has been a public outcry by immigrants to canada that they are being treated like 3 class citizens and do not get jobs in their chosen fields but end up as working low paid jobs and are struck. I am not sure about the how much this has changed in the last 2 yrs but it was the situation 2 yrs ago and prompted me to reconsider going back there when its obsolutely necessary. I now heard from some friends IT is picking up again so its probably ok to go there.
BTW its taking anywhere between 52-65 weeks to get Canadian PR now. They process ur initial application after 52 weeks only and any time taken on top of it is extra..
cheers
more...
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tikka
07-04 09:33 AM
This is a HUGE issue if it is true. Can we verify it preferably with a URL?
This is what I meant when I said that we should identify all the issues and worry about english later. BTW, this is what is taught in a writing course: outline first, english later.
I have scanned most of the letters posted in thread. I will carefully scan them again and add their issues to my skelton.
Most of the letters are missing or not stressing some HUGE points like above. These HUGE points are bold faced in the articles I post. Editorials have a lot of these so called punch lines.
i picked this up from one of the threads.. not sure if it was the breaking news or media thread .. we need member info and url if possible...
This is what I meant when I said that we should identify all the issues and worry about english later. BTW, this is what is taught in a writing course: outline first, english later.
I have scanned most of the letters posted in thread. I will carefully scan them again and add their issues to my skelton.
Most of the letters are missing or not stressing some HUGE points like above. These HUGE points are bold faced in the articles I post. Editorials have a lot of these so called punch lines.
i picked this up from one of the threads.. not sure if it was the breaking news or media thread .. we need member info and url if possible...
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nixstor
07-03 09:24 PM
I am trying an outline for sending to media + lawmakers + ...
The following is a very rough draft without reading some of the letters posted in the thread. I will read the posts tomorrow and polish it by tomorrow evening. I will need everyone's input since I don't know all the issues.
What happened
USCIS announced at the time the forms were due.
Applicants started filling forms 2-3 weeks before July 2.
Applicants changed their schedules to submit forms.
Advantages of EAD + AP
Don't know all!
Travel without visa -> saves Embassy overhead.
Spouse can work.
Can switch job.
Why does it hurt
Medical will not be valid after 1 year.
Fees more then doubling
Name checking (which can take 1+ year) done in parallel with waiting for GC #.
Load balancing for USCIS.
USCIS which is supported 90% by application fee needs to care for applicants.
Very little chance of legislative relief for a looong time.
Excellent,
I am planning to come up with a format for calling key senators and congress men on Thursday morning. Lets do this. Mean while please keep digging and blogging.
The following is a very rough draft without reading some of the letters posted in the thread. I will read the posts tomorrow and polish it by tomorrow evening. I will need everyone's input since I don't know all the issues.
What happened
USCIS announced at the time the forms were due.
Applicants started filling forms 2-3 weeks before July 2.
Applicants changed their schedules to submit forms.
Advantages of EAD + AP
Don't know all!
Travel without visa -> saves Embassy overhead.
Spouse can work.
Can switch job.
Why does it hurt
Medical will not be valid after 1 year.
Fees more then doubling
Name checking (which can take 1+ year) done in parallel with waiting for GC #.
Load balancing for USCIS.
USCIS which is supported 90% by application fee needs to care for applicants.
Very little chance of legislative relief for a looong time.
Excellent,
I am planning to come up with a format for calling key senators and congress men on Thursday morning. Lets do this. Mean while please keep digging and blogging.
more...
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mirage
04-01 03:28 PM
Litte correction dude, Hyderabad people know this man from top to bottom, so he's contesting from Moradabad. When he was caught in Match fixing he stoop down to the lowest and made charges like I'm being framed because I'm a Muslim. The traitor forgot he was the captain of our team for so long.
Azhar visited your post and joined congress.. he is contesting from Hyderabad...
what have you done gcdreamer05 :D
can you wish all of us quick GCs too.. looks like your dreams are powerful !!!
Azhar visited your post and joined congress.. he is contesting from Hyderabad...
what have you done gcdreamer05 :D
can you wish all of us quick GCs too.. looks like your dreams are powerful !!!
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alisa
07-04 01:02 PM
Which of the above are not needed for dependents?
I think we are trying to come up with too much details.
I would suggest putting together a short message, with links to detailed news reports, press releases etc.
But something short and catchy that captures the essence of what happened. And says that it hurt people.
And please, when you come up with a draft for lawmakers, do mention that their response would be shared with others in the employmentbased community through online public forums.
Just my two cents....
I think we are trying to come up with too much details.
I would suggest putting together a short message, with links to detailed news reports, press releases etc.
But something short and catchy that captures the essence of what happened. And says that it hurt people.
And please, when you come up with a draft for lawmakers, do mention that their response would be shared with others in the employmentbased community through online public forums.
Just my two cents....
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Mount Soche
02-14 01:09 PM
Bestia,
I am not fighting with you believe it or not - just that some things said on this forum are just downright nasty. FYI though.. the Congo WAS colonized and terrorized by the Europeans. Hear of the Belgian Congo?? I don't know about Sierra Leone though.
I brought African countries not as scapegoats, but as examples of countries not colonized by Europeans. I didn't mean to insult anybody from Sierra Leone or Congo ;) But my point was that if there wouldn't be Europeans - there wouldn't be United States.
Man... you can't bring some example, not to be accused of something... Come on guys.
Happy Valentine's Day.
I am not fighting with you believe it or not - just that some things said on this forum are just downright nasty. FYI though.. the Congo WAS colonized and terrorized by the Europeans. Hear of the Belgian Congo?? I don't know about Sierra Leone though.
I brought African countries not as scapegoats, but as examples of countries not colonized by Europeans. I didn't mean to insult anybody from Sierra Leone or Congo ;) But my point was that if there wouldn't be Europeans - there wouldn't be United States.
Man... you can't bring some example, not to be accused of something... Come on guys.
Happy Valentine's Day.
gdilla
07-13 12:41 PM
This is the most ridiculous article I've ever seen.
"I should have done my own homework before I applied" - no $hit. What makes you think going to med school in Indian means jack in Canada or the US. You have to get board certified. Duh. And I'm afraid cold calling doesn't work anywhere, including the US... does this work in India? Of course they're not going to listen to you. Jeez. People not doing their due diligence before THEY PACK UP AND MOVE HALF WAY ROUND the world... yeah, that proves to me you are smart enough to hire.
[QUOTE=sankap]Here's an article that appeared in Outlook (India) magazine 8 years ago. Apparently, the situation hasn't changed much since then:
http://outlookindia.com/full.asp?fname=international1&fodname=19990125&sid=1
Canada...The Grass Isn't Greener
Outlook: Jan 25, 1999
It's a dream gone sour. Thousands of Indian immigrants who land up in Canada are, more often than not, greeted with unemployment, racism, culture shocks...
SOHAILA CHARNALIA
"I didn't come here to be a chowkidar. I came here believing it to be a land of opportunity; a country that has never known the nepotism, the corruption, the shortages of India. I find I have only substituted one country for another... certainly not one set of values for another, as I hoped. " For Dr Gurdial Singh Dhillon, who was made to believe his qualifications would land him a good job fast, Canada was a real disappointment. When he did find work, it was that of a security guard. This, when the United Nations has declared Canada the best country to live in.
Some 200,000 people migrate to Canada every year, a majority from Asia. Hong Kong heads the list, followed by India, China, Taiwan and the Philippines. According to the Citizenship & Immigration Canada report, 21,249 Indians migrated to Canada in 1996 alone. (The high commission in Delhi, however, put the figure at 17,682). For many of them, especially those who are qualified professionals, dreams die fast. The life they face is never quite as rosy as made out by money-raking immigration lawyers.
Is the UN report the only reason for the increase in Indian applications for immigration? That, and the fact that it is easier to get entry into Canada than any other western country, says a Delhi-based immigration lawyer. Also, the fastest way of getting immigration to the US is through Canada.
Dhillon's disappointment is echoed by others. "I should have done my own homework before I applied", rues Aparna Shirodhkar, an architect from Mumbai, working as a saleswoman in a department store. "My husband is unemployed. I am the sole earner for a family of four. Sometimes I feel like running back". For Raheela Wasim, who's gone from being a schoolteacher in India to a telemarketer here, the experience was very discouraging, very disheartening. "I started losing confidence in myself. I felt I was not capable of the job market here".
Jobs are the sore point with Indian immigrants. The irony is, they are often more qualified than their Canadian peers, yet they end up with either no work, or with entry-level jobs that have no future. "I was not told that you require a Canadian degree to get a job here", says Paramjeet Parmar, a postgraduate in biochemistry from Bombay University. Parmar works as a telemarketer, which has turned her from an elite professional to an unskilled, daily wage labourer.
Ditto Opinder Khosla, a mechanical engineer from India, who has ended up as a salesman. "I found it difficult to even get an interview call", he says. The Canadian authorities are non-committal about the social and economic devaluation that the country imposes on immigrants.
"You can't come thinking you can just walk in and get a job in your profession", says Isabel Basset, minister of citizenship, culture and recreation, responsible for handling immigrants' woes in Canada's largest province, Ontario. But she admits that the licensing bodies regulating the professions need to be more accepting of people trained elsewhere.
That effort could only come from the government, argues Demetrius Oriopolis, co-author of Access, a government-commissioned report on assessing qualifications of newcomers, a 10-year-old report whose recommendations have still to be implemented. The report suggests certain rules of equivalence should be made binding on the regulatory bodies, which are exclusionist by nature.
But Basset won't even hear of making the regulatory bodies accountable: "We believe in private enterprise with a minimum of government checks. Besides, she argues, the exercise would cost millions of dollars".
Needless to say, the organisations are gleeful. Only professional bodies have the ability to determine what constitutes competence in a particular profession, was the cold response of the spokesperson for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, an institution that's responsible for the unemployment as well as under-employment of hundreds of qualified chartered accountants from India. They do not grant licences for professional practice, because Indian qualifications are not acceptable.
"What kind of society are we creating? Is it a new form of slavery?" asks an irate Bhausaheb Ubale, Canada's former human rights commissioner. Qualified immigrants work as drivers, guards. If this isn't job discrimination, what is? Dr Ubale lobbied intensely before Indians were accepted in the media. They now hold jobs as reporters and anchors, he says, but a lot more has to be done.
While skilled men may not be able to find jobs, their less qualified wives find it easier because they accept whatever comes their way. In several cases, the wives earn and support their husbands who are busy upgrading themselves, by studying for a Canadian degree. The working wife sometimes slogs away at three jobs. Sumitra starts at 7 am at her first job, teaching immigrants English; her second job as telemarketer starts at 4 pm. She gets back home around 8 pm, after which she begins selling cosmetics and household goods door to door. Till midnight. Sumitra supports three students, her husband and two school-going children.
The other problems Indians face here are the high taxes, high mortgage payments for new homes and the sort of hidebound laws that the benign anarchy back home hardly prepares them for. "You can't run a red light, you can't escape from a hit-and-run site even if you are just the witness, you can't smoke in public. Too many rules, so different from home", says Harminder Singh.
Two 'Indian' practices that do exist here, however, cause immigrants the maximum trouble. They are sifarish baazi (nepotism) and mufat ka kaam (free work). The Canadians, of course, have given them sophisticated terminologies, the former is referred to as 'networking' and the latter, 'volunteerism'. In a country where you are never encouraged to 'drop in' to meet someone, where the fax, the computer or the phone is used to complete most transactions, a job-seeking immigrant often has the phone put down on him. Polite but firm secretaries block access, unless the caller can drop a magic name that can help him gain entry. It takes at least a year for even the most enterprising immigrant to get to know somebody who can help him, before he can get a job at all.
'Networking' goes hand in hand with 'volunteerism'. Many immigrants put in a year of free service before they are given the job. Most writers and anchors of Asian origin are given only part-time jobs, paid by assignment and with no fringe benefits. The company insists on the word 'freelance' on their business cards, to make it clear they have not been hired by the company, and hence can't demand higher pay or any benefits. They can, and often are, fired at will.
Perhaps the greatest problem in Canada is the one that is least articulated--racism. According to a diversity report on Toronto (said to be the most ethnically diverse city in the world), the year 2000 will see its minority becoming its majority that is, 54 per cent of Toronto's population by the end of the millennium will be non-Whites. Keeping that in mind, it warned, if the discrimination against them in education, employment, income and housing, or incidents of hate are not addressed, it will lead to a growing sense of frustration.
"All our problems exist because of racism", sums up Anita Ferrao, who works in a firm. Anita has worked for them for three years and has got neither promotion nor raise. "As an Indian immigrant, you can never reach the top. They'll see to that. It's better to bring in some money here and start a business. It's the only way you'll do well here and be respected. "
But then if life is so tough here, why do people give up everything back home and come? The answer is the rosy picture of North America, inculcated right from childhood. Everything 'American' is considered superior. Better food, better homes, better life.
"I should have done my own homework before I applied" - no $hit. What makes you think going to med school in Indian means jack in Canada or the US. You have to get board certified. Duh. And I'm afraid cold calling doesn't work anywhere, including the US... does this work in India? Of course they're not going to listen to you. Jeez. People not doing their due diligence before THEY PACK UP AND MOVE HALF WAY ROUND the world... yeah, that proves to me you are smart enough to hire.
[QUOTE=sankap]Here's an article that appeared in Outlook (India) magazine 8 years ago. Apparently, the situation hasn't changed much since then:
http://outlookindia.com/full.asp?fname=international1&fodname=19990125&sid=1
Canada...The Grass Isn't Greener
Outlook: Jan 25, 1999
It's a dream gone sour. Thousands of Indian immigrants who land up in Canada are, more often than not, greeted with unemployment, racism, culture shocks...
SOHAILA CHARNALIA
"I didn't come here to be a chowkidar. I came here believing it to be a land of opportunity; a country that has never known the nepotism, the corruption, the shortages of India. I find I have only substituted one country for another... certainly not one set of values for another, as I hoped. " For Dr Gurdial Singh Dhillon, who was made to believe his qualifications would land him a good job fast, Canada was a real disappointment. When he did find work, it was that of a security guard. This, when the United Nations has declared Canada the best country to live in.
Some 200,000 people migrate to Canada every year, a majority from Asia. Hong Kong heads the list, followed by India, China, Taiwan and the Philippines. According to the Citizenship & Immigration Canada report, 21,249 Indians migrated to Canada in 1996 alone. (The high commission in Delhi, however, put the figure at 17,682). For many of them, especially those who are qualified professionals, dreams die fast. The life they face is never quite as rosy as made out by money-raking immigration lawyers.
Is the UN report the only reason for the increase in Indian applications for immigration? That, and the fact that it is easier to get entry into Canada than any other western country, says a Delhi-based immigration lawyer. Also, the fastest way of getting immigration to the US is through Canada.
Dhillon's disappointment is echoed by others. "I should have done my own homework before I applied", rues Aparna Shirodhkar, an architect from Mumbai, working as a saleswoman in a department store. "My husband is unemployed. I am the sole earner for a family of four. Sometimes I feel like running back". For Raheela Wasim, who's gone from being a schoolteacher in India to a telemarketer here, the experience was very discouraging, very disheartening. "I started losing confidence in myself. I felt I was not capable of the job market here".
Jobs are the sore point with Indian immigrants. The irony is, they are often more qualified than their Canadian peers, yet they end up with either no work, or with entry-level jobs that have no future. "I was not told that you require a Canadian degree to get a job here", says Paramjeet Parmar, a postgraduate in biochemistry from Bombay University. Parmar works as a telemarketer, which has turned her from an elite professional to an unskilled, daily wage labourer.
Ditto Opinder Khosla, a mechanical engineer from India, who has ended up as a salesman. "I found it difficult to even get an interview call", he says. The Canadian authorities are non-committal about the social and economic devaluation that the country imposes on immigrants.
"You can't come thinking you can just walk in and get a job in your profession", says Isabel Basset, minister of citizenship, culture and recreation, responsible for handling immigrants' woes in Canada's largest province, Ontario. But she admits that the licensing bodies regulating the professions need to be more accepting of people trained elsewhere.
That effort could only come from the government, argues Demetrius Oriopolis, co-author of Access, a government-commissioned report on assessing qualifications of newcomers, a 10-year-old report whose recommendations have still to be implemented. The report suggests certain rules of equivalence should be made binding on the regulatory bodies, which are exclusionist by nature.
But Basset won't even hear of making the regulatory bodies accountable: "We believe in private enterprise with a minimum of government checks. Besides, she argues, the exercise would cost millions of dollars".
Needless to say, the organisations are gleeful. Only professional bodies have the ability to determine what constitutes competence in a particular profession, was the cold response of the spokesperson for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, an institution that's responsible for the unemployment as well as under-employment of hundreds of qualified chartered accountants from India. They do not grant licences for professional practice, because Indian qualifications are not acceptable.
"What kind of society are we creating? Is it a new form of slavery?" asks an irate Bhausaheb Ubale, Canada's former human rights commissioner. Qualified immigrants work as drivers, guards. If this isn't job discrimination, what is? Dr Ubale lobbied intensely before Indians were accepted in the media. They now hold jobs as reporters and anchors, he says, but a lot more has to be done.
While skilled men may not be able to find jobs, their less qualified wives find it easier because they accept whatever comes their way. In several cases, the wives earn and support their husbands who are busy upgrading themselves, by studying for a Canadian degree. The working wife sometimes slogs away at three jobs. Sumitra starts at 7 am at her first job, teaching immigrants English; her second job as telemarketer starts at 4 pm. She gets back home around 8 pm, after which she begins selling cosmetics and household goods door to door. Till midnight. Sumitra supports three students, her husband and two school-going children.
The other problems Indians face here are the high taxes, high mortgage payments for new homes and the sort of hidebound laws that the benign anarchy back home hardly prepares them for. "You can't run a red light, you can't escape from a hit-and-run site even if you are just the witness, you can't smoke in public. Too many rules, so different from home", says Harminder Singh.
Two 'Indian' practices that do exist here, however, cause immigrants the maximum trouble. They are sifarish baazi (nepotism) and mufat ka kaam (free work). The Canadians, of course, have given them sophisticated terminologies, the former is referred to as 'networking' and the latter, 'volunteerism'. In a country where you are never encouraged to 'drop in' to meet someone, where the fax, the computer or the phone is used to complete most transactions, a job-seeking immigrant often has the phone put down on him. Polite but firm secretaries block access, unless the caller can drop a magic name that can help him gain entry. It takes at least a year for even the most enterprising immigrant to get to know somebody who can help him, before he can get a job at all.
'Networking' goes hand in hand with 'volunteerism'. Many immigrants put in a year of free service before they are given the job. Most writers and anchors of Asian origin are given only part-time jobs, paid by assignment and with no fringe benefits. The company insists on the word 'freelance' on their business cards, to make it clear they have not been hired by the company, and hence can't demand higher pay or any benefits. They can, and often are, fired at will.
Perhaps the greatest problem in Canada is the one that is least articulated--racism. According to a diversity report on Toronto (said to be the most ethnically diverse city in the world), the year 2000 will see its minority becoming its majority that is, 54 per cent of Toronto's population by the end of the millennium will be non-Whites. Keeping that in mind, it warned, if the discrimination against them in education, employment, income and housing, or incidents of hate are not addressed, it will lead to a growing sense of frustration.
"All our problems exist because of racism", sums up Anita Ferrao, who works in a firm. Anita has worked for them for three years and has got neither promotion nor raise. "As an Indian immigrant, you can never reach the top. They'll see to that. It's better to bring in some money here and start a business. It's the only way you'll do well here and be respected. "
But then if life is so tough here, why do people give up everything back home and come? The answer is the rosy picture of North America, inculcated right from childhood. Everything 'American' is considered superior. Better food, better homes, better life.
okuzmin
07-12 12:27 PM
lordoftherings, I doubt there is a country in the world that would fit all. I also doubt such a thing as "ideal immigration policy" exists. It is always good to have a job offer before you immigrate, but it's ultimately up to the immigrant to find out what it'll take to get on his/her feet in the new country.
After reading (and watching videos of) all those sob stories on notcanada.com and the like about doctors, nurses, engineers who can't get a job or have to study for years to get a Canadian license to practice, I wonder how much of a research those folks did prior to coming to Canada. If a medical occupation requires studying for additional time and taking exams, then you should have learned about it. If engineers of your specialty are not in high demand, you can figure it out by going through Canadian job postings and contacting employers. If you are not willing to look for a job elsewhere but Toronto, then it's your problem: perhaps in Calgary the opportunities are more readily available. I have a friend in Montreal who owns an IT recruitment company. He told me that they are sending IT folks from Ontario to Alberta, since Alberta unemployment rate for IT professionals is currently at 0.5%.
Bottom line is: research for yourself, ask different people, be flexible about where you want to live in the new country (hey, it's the country's demands you need to adjust to, not the other way around!) -- this will save you from many unpleasant surprises.
After reading (and watching videos of) all those sob stories on notcanada.com and the like about doctors, nurses, engineers who can't get a job or have to study for years to get a Canadian license to practice, I wonder how much of a research those folks did prior to coming to Canada. If a medical occupation requires studying for additional time and taking exams, then you should have learned about it. If engineers of your specialty are not in high demand, you can figure it out by going through Canadian job postings and contacting employers. If you are not willing to look for a job elsewhere but Toronto, then it's your problem: perhaps in Calgary the opportunities are more readily available. I have a friend in Montreal who owns an IT recruitment company. He told me that they are sending IT folks from Ontario to Alberta, since Alberta unemployment rate for IT professionals is currently at 0.5%.
Bottom line is: research for yourself, ask different people, be flexible about where you want to live in the new country (hey, it's the country's demands you need to adjust to, not the other way around!) -- this will save you from many unpleasant surprises.
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