Work permits of 1.3L Indians ending by December: protesting students in Canada seek extension

The protest is being led by Bikram Singh Kullewal of Naujawan Student Network (NSN) and has also been supported by Montreal Youth Students Organisation (MYSO). “Nearly 1.3 lakh students are at risk as their work permits will expire on December 31. They are seeking an extension in work permit so as to continue staying in Canada. However for the past one year, the strained diplomatic ties between the India and Canada have created unnecessary fear among immigrants and students,” said MYSO convenor Mandeep.

He added that since the Indian government failed to provide students with quality education and employment, the youth have no choice but to move to Canada and other countries. “At the same time, foreign governments take advantage of the helplessness of immigrants and international students by using them as cheap labour to strengthen their economy, thus exploiting them without granting permanent citizenship or equal human rights,” said MYSO volunteer Khushpal Grewal.

NSN leader Bikram Singh Kullewal is also on work permit as of now.

Varun Khanna of MYSO added that for the past several days, young students in Canada have been fighting for permanent residency. “Neither any Indian government official nor any representative from the Canadian government showed any concern for these struggling students. Instead, leaders of both countries are playing politics over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” he said.

Punjabi singers Guru Randhawa, Rupinder Handa and many others have also extended their support to the students.

Canada had recently announced that for seeking PGWP, students need to get a score of 7 in Canadian Language Benchmark test and work permit in many areas will be subject to labour shortage. Moreover, many students had already got an extension in PGWP during Covid and hence it is unlikely that they will get another extension in PGWP.

Many diploma holders, however, have bleak chances to get PR or work permits compared to master or doctoral degree holders and at that same time, many students are not even technically qualified as per the availability of jobs in the market.

Mandeep added that at such an uncertain time, some students are also exploring other options and a few are willing to return to India.

MYSO volunteers added that the current situation needs to be handled carefully, rather than with empty rhetoric that spreads fear and terror. “Both Indian and Canadian governments should refrain from making inflammatory statements that create social divisions, fear, and hatred. With diplomats of both countries being called back, students people will have to wait even longer to complete visa applications, and travel plans in Canada now,” Mandeep said.

He added that inflation, unemployment, tax burden, housing shortage, drug abuse, rising rent, granting permanent status to temporary workers are the real issues for local Canadians, immigrants, and international students. “However, due to the upcoming elections, the Canadian government is diverting public attention from these critical issues,” Mandeep said, adding that withholding permanent residency from temporary or undocumented workers is inhumane, unequal, discriminatory, and unethical.