20-hour Work Cap Raises Major Concerns for International Students in Canada

International students in Canada, a vocal community within the Canadian ecosystem, have spoken up about the need for the permanent upheaval of the 20-hour-a-week work cap. Canada work hours have been a topic of contention ever since the post-COVID recovery era. The Canadian government temporarily lifted the cap on work hours between November 15, 2022, and December 31, 2023, to help employers retain as many workers as possible in an unprecedented economic recovery period.

According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulation, students who hold a study permit but not a work permit are allowed to work for 20 hours a week while classes are in session. Students can pursue full-time work during academic breaks, however. 

However, according to many international students in Canada, most from India, lifting the cap would help them stabilise their finances amidst ever-rising prices. Most postgraduate international students in Canada in the past have been able to work on/off campus with an authorisation to work printed on their study permit. In addition, more than half of these students in 2022 were reported to have an income source while pursuing their studies in the country.

"Most of the students have to work on minimum wages, which is some $16 right now. It's not possible to live working 20 hours in this condition," said Sanghera, who shares a three-occupancy space with five people.

According to major Canada news, international students studying at the University of Toronto were paying about ten times as much as domestic students. According to Sarom Rho, an advocate for the organisation called "Migrant Workers Alliance for Change", "This is a question of whether we want a system that greenlights exploitation of international students."

This Canada news comes at the back end of the country losing almost 13 billion dollars in 2022 due to a nationwide skill and labour shortage in the manufacturing sector. According to a report by the Canadian Express, "More than 80 per cent of manufacturers said they are facing labour and skills shortages, up from 60 per cent in 2020" 

The manufacturing sector in the country, as a result, has begun demanding the government to address and act upon these pressing issues. Many believe that improving automation, increasing eagles, providing better healthcare and primarily capitalising on immigration can help with the labour shortages. 

Canada opened its arms to about 800,00 international students in 2022 and is on its way to welcoming 900,000 in 2023. According to Immigration Refugees, Citizenship of Canada (IRCC), international students in Canada contributed more than $22.3 billion to the Canadian economy last year. The government has announced that it has begun assessing the policy and will inform the people if it makes a change to it. 

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