FOREIGN CREDENTIALS, DOMESTIC DISPARITIES: A STUDY OF SKILLED IMMIGRANTS UNEVEN INTEGRATION TO LABOUR MARKET THROUGH THE LENS OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY & POLITICAL ECONOMY IN CANADA
| dc.contributor.author | RAHMAN, MD SHAHIDUR | |
| dc.contributor.copyright-release | Not Applicable | en_US |
| dc.contributor.degree | Master of Social Work | en_US |
| dc.contributor.department | School of Social Work | en_US |
| dc.contributor.ethics-approval | Received | en_US |
| dc.contributor.external-examiner | n/a | en_US |
| dc.contributor.manuscripts | Not Applicable | en_US |
| dc.contributor.thesis-reader | Elizabeth Fitting | en_US |
| dc.contributor.thesis-reader | Pauline Gardiner Barber | en_US |
| dc.contributor.thesis-supervisor | Catherine Bryan | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-08-30T14:15:56Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-08-30T14:15:56Z | |
| dc.date.defence | 2024-08-27 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-08-27 | |
| dc.description | This study applies the lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Political Economy (PE) to examine the experiences of highly trained immigrants in Nova Scotia, with a particular focus on their de-skilling and re-skilling, the impact of their foreign qualifications on their career paths, and their eventual integration into entry-level, low-waged, and precarious labour markets in retail and quick service sectors. Earlier research has considered black and Indigenous communities, while this project particularly prioritized the impact on South Asian immigrants. This study made a series of recommendations that policy implementers could easily absorb with proper adjustment to existing acts and policies. This study uses a qualitative approach to gain a detailed picture of the difficulties skilled immigrants encounter, reading these against the promises made by the Canadian state and, in turn, the expectations these migrants arrive in Nova Scotia with. This research redresses this, drawing on in-depth interviews with highly skilled immigrants and applying the lens of CRT and PE to provide insight into how racial capitalism operates to the detriment of newcomers in the province, how it affects their career prospects, working environment, mental health and in turn, ability to realize future goals for the future. | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Immigration in Canada has historically been shaped by racial capitalism, particularly in terms of how immigrant labour is used and valued. Immigrants are hired for low-wage jobs and are subjected to poor working conditions, which benefit employers seeking to maximize profits. This qualitative study examined the expectations and challenges experienced by mainly racialized, highly skilled, and educated immigrants, predominantly South Asians, while trying to integrate into the Nova Scotian workforce, focusing on Halifax Regional Municipality. This project engages CRT and PE frameworks to investigate the role of systemic racism and economic structures in the process of de-skilling and re-skilling immigrants. These factors typically result in these individuals being forced into precarious, low-paying retail positions. While revealing the impact of racial capitalism on their professional opportunities and mental health, the results bring invaluable insights into the policy and practical suggestions to foster more inclusive employment practices in Nova Scotia. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10222/84536 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.subject | immigrants | en_US |
| dc.subject | expectations | en_US |
| dc.subject | experiences | en_US |
| dc.subject | challenges | en_US |
| dc.subject | neoliberal | en_US |
| dc.subject | CRT | en_US |
| dc.subject | political economy | en_US |
| dc.subject | critical race theory | en_US |
| dc.subject | retail | en_US |
| dc.subject | south asian | en_US |
| dc.subject | deskilling | en_US |
| dc.subject | reskilling | en_US |
| dc.subject | nova scotia | en_US |
| dc.title | FOREIGN CREDENTIALS, DOMESTIC DISPARITIES: A STUDY OF SKILLED IMMIGRANTS UNEVEN INTEGRATION TO LABOUR MARKET THROUGH THE LENS OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY & POLITICAL ECONOMY IN CANADA | en_US |