OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUES TO
BE ADDRESSED

We would like to preface our remarks by pointing out that immigrant women have made, and continue to make, an important contribution to the Canadian economy. Studies show that a much higher percentage of immigrant women work compared to Canadian-born women. As a group, we are self-starters, willing to put in long hours at low pay to make our way in this country. There are no accurate figures available, but we believe from our knowledge of our own communities that the percentage of immigrant women across the country receiving unemployment insurance or welfare is low. The demands we are making should be seen in the context of the contribution we are making.

ACCESS TO LANGUAGE
TRAINING PROGRAMS

Learning the language, we believe, is the first step for any newcomer in being able to take advantage of opportunities in the job market and in skill training. Without fluency in English or French, immigrants cannot find jobs and are permanently confined to cheap-labour job ghettos. Studies show that compared to only one-fifth of Canadian-born women, one-third of immigrant women work in the non-unionized underbelly of the labour market where they toil as chamber maids, building cleaners, domestics, waitresses, sewing machine operators and so on.

RECOMMENDATION 1

1. We are asking that adequate language (E.S.L.) training facilities, together with training allowances for a period of at least six (6) months, be provided for all those Who need it regardless of status or length of residence in Canada. Provision should be made for day care and travel allowances.
   
   
2. Professionals and skilled workers should also have access to specialized
   E.S.L. - F .S.L. language classes.

RECOMMENDATION 2

We are asking that in 1985, projects offering language training in the workplace be set up in cities with large concentrations of immigrant women and financial incentives be given to employers to provide language training on the job. At the end of 1986, we would ask for meetings with the Minister of Employment and Immigration to review the success of the projects and to work toward implementation of a permanent policy.

RECOMMENDATION 3

As part of its language training policy, we are asking Employment and Immigration to become more involved in the funding of special language training projects at the community level for the most disadvantaged immigrant women, particularly those who are illiterate. This would help to decentralize the availability of language classes.

Wendy Wortsman