Recently, Marc Miller, Minister of IRCC, announced the launch of a fast-track work permit program in the Philippines.
This fast-track work permit program will streamline work permit processing for eligible Canadian employers & allow them to schedule group appointments for medical examinations & biometrics for potential employees so that skilled professionals from the Philippines can come to Canada.
Moreover, the pilot program is for Canadian employers recruiting in the Philippines & hiring approximately 50 or more workers for key professions like construction, healthcare, agriculture, etc.
In order to participate in the fast-track work permit program, employers must demonstrate their commitment to fair & ethical recruitment guidelines as published by IOM, i.e., International Organization for Migration.
IRCC is also giving $200,000 to the IOM to support the adoption of fair & ethical recruitment standards in the Philippines. The funding will help IOM work with the government, conduct training sessions, & promote IOM’s Fair & Ethical Due Diligence Toolkit to organizations either involved or interested in recruiting talent in the Philippines.
Marc Miller asserted that thousands of temporary foreign workers bring skills to Canada, helping the economy flourish & fill the labor market gaps. This includes a substantial number of newcomers from the Philippines. He further stated that the pilot program offers Canada an integral benefit in the global race for talent & supports the industries in addressing labor market shortages. Moreover, at the same time, the funding to IOM demonstrates Canada’s commitment to fair & ethical recruitment practices, which will help ensure the health, safety, & quality of life of temporary foreign workers.
The Philippines is a significant source of newcomers to Canada. This pilot program will help strengthen the close social ties between the two nations while addressing labor shortages in the Canadian economy & reinforcing Canada as a top destination for global talent.