9 . Temporary Foreign Workers

At present, there are more individuals admitted to Canada every year as temporary foreign workers than as permanent residents, the status which used to account for the great majority of new arrivals. By one estimate, temporary foreign workers personally contributed $126 million to the EI program in 2008.

Temporary foreign workers who pay into EI are often not able to collect EI benefits after losing a job because of legal technicalities regarding how the EI system and immigration rules interact. Temporary foreign workers have an easier time accessing special benefits (maternity, parental, compassionate care) though there are still often barriers.

Next Issue: Rate Setting

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