Becoming an immigrant worker: Learning in everyday life

Authors

  • Charlotte Baltodano Immigrant Workers Centre Research Group
  • Aziz Choudry Immigrant Workers Centre Research Group
  • Jill Hanley Immigrant Workers Centre Research Group
  • Steve Jordan Immigrant Workers Centre Research Group
  • Eric Shragge Immigrant Workers Centre Research Group
  • Martha Stiegman Immigrant Workers Centre Research Group

Abstract

This paper will examine the learning process of becoming an immigrant worker in Canada during current neo-liberal restructuring. We view learning as a complex process whereby individuals, embedded in social networks, develop a political analysis of their situation while they develop strategies of response. Our research is grounded in the work of our partner organization, the Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC), a support centre for workers. The paper reviews some of the political and economic forces that place immigrant workers at the bottom of the labour market in Canada. Study participants reflect these general trends. Our analysis draws on participants’ interviews and examines their experiences of leaving countries of origin, settling in Canada, and finding work. We conclude with a discussion linking these experiences with wider global forces.

Résumé

Cet article analysera le processus d’apprentissage d’un travailleur immigrant au Canada dans un contexte néo-libéral. Nous considérons l’apprentissage un processus complexe par lequel des individus, intégrés dans des réseaux sociaux, font une analyse politique de leur situation, en développant des stratégies de réponse. Notre recherche s’inscrit dans le travail de notre partenaire, Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC), un centre de soutien aux travailleurs immigrants. L’article passe en revue certaines forces économiques et politiques qui placent les travailleurs immigrants au bas du marché de l’emploi au Canada. Notre analyse fait état d’entrevues avec les clients du centre et passe en revue ce qu’ils ont vécu au moment de quitter leur pays d’origine, de s’installer au Canada et de trouver du travail. En conclusion, il présente une discussion faisant le lien entre ces expériences et des forces globales à plus large échelle.

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Published

2007-12-01

How to Cite

Baltodano, C., Choudry, A., Hanley, J., Jordan, S., Shragge, E., & Stiegman, M. (2007). Becoming an immigrant worker: Learning in everyday life. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 20(2), 99–113. Retrieved from https://cjsae.library.dal.ca/index.php/cjsae/article/view/1110

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2007): Special Issue on Work and Lifelong Learning

Section

Articles

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