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Given an ageing population and a persistent low birth rate, several industrialized countries have chosen to attract immigrant labour, as evidenced in a recent report by OECD (2012). However, the integration of immigrants in the labour market poses several challenges. Thus, in Quebec, compared to natives, immigrants participate less often in the labour market and tend to occupy lower quality jobs. This study aims to highlight the last finding by using two databases largely neglected in the analysis of the integration of immigrants: The Labour Force Survey (LFS) and a survey of the conditions of work, employment, health and work security in Quebec (EQCOTESST). In addition to examining the usual indicators such as the participation rate, the employment rate and the unemployment rate, this study is interested in unique dimensions which have never been taken into consideration, such as overqualification, job quality as well as physical and psychological conditions of work. As expected, the results confirm that the economic performance of Quebec immigrants is lower than that of the native-born Quebecers. In addition, there is a greater presence of immigrants in low quality jobs, but a smaller presence in high quality jobs, while the reverse is true for native workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To satisfy its need for seasonal low-skilled labourers, Canada is hiring temporary foreign workers (TFWs). As part of a study on the management issues related to the hiring of TFWs, employers and informants from related NGOs and governmental agencies were interviewed about their motivations to use TFWs. The primary motivation, unlike that which would be expected, is not cost savings. The interest in hiring TFWs would appear to be based on cost-utility considerations, including the benefit of an available, efficient, loyal workforce during the whole season and the flexibility for employers to reduce risk and uncertainties related to the availability of labour. Employers thus give preference to TFWs rather than local workers, because they meet the entirety of their expectations of workforce flexibility, be it numerically or in relation to scheduling, remuneration or skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study presents the results of a comparison between perceptions related to 'the difficulties of integrating the labour market in Quebec and Canada, as measured in Statistics Canada and Employment and Immigration Canada's Labour Market Activity Survey (1986-1987), and the difficulties actually experienced, estimated by the objective reasons for quitting a job. It then presents a follow-up of the iteration of sub-groups who have perceived such integration difficulties. The core question consists in verifying the foundations of a widespread opinion according to which individuals are more and more responsible for their probability of being employed, mainly due to their lack of instruction or experience. This study shows that some sub-groups overestimate the weight of their individual responsibility in facing the probability of being employed, as opposed to the responsibility linked with the structural factors. As the follow-up of sub-groups' iteration also shows, the youth likely to enter the labour market, as well as the poorly and moderately schooled sub-groups, experience the most difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]