The labor partnership signed by the Icelandic governments and the local government of Manitoba, Canada earlier this year on job opportunities for skilled, unemployed workers from Iceland has not delivered the desired results. So far, jobs have been found for 43 Icelanders but no one has moved to Manitoba yet.
Construction workers in Iceland in 2008. Copyright: Icelandic Photo Agency.
According to CBC News, the delay seems to be caused by the Canadian federal government’s regulations on the temporary foreign workers’ program.
Before employers in Manitoba can hire someone from the outside, they must advertise for staff within the province. If no one qualifies, the employers can hire foreign workers. Only one Manitoba employer has submitted an application to hire people from outside Canada.
Gissur Pétursson, who heads Iceland’s Directorate of Labor, explained to CBC News that since the application process for Canada is so long and complicated, Icelanders are turning to European employers instead.
According to recent news, most Icelanders who emigrate are moving to Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
Click here to read more about the Iceland-Manitoba labor partnership.
