International students working under the table
TORONTO (CUP) - Toronto
is one of the most multicultural
cities in the world and with that
comes students looking to further
their education from other countries.
With students coming from
over 100 foreign nations to study at
the city's urban George Brown
College (GBC) and tuition fees rising,
the pressure is on them to start
finding work as soon as possible.
Under the table jobs, commonly known as ‘cash jobs,' have picked up momentum among international students looking for an alternative way to meet their expenses.
These jobs don't require a social insurance number or a work permit. It's a deal between the employer and the employee to work for cash. The employers sometimes pay below the minimum wage and dodge taxes, while employees often work more than the specified hours they are allowed. Tutoring, editing classmates' work, dog walking, working in repairs, being a handyman or participating in day labour are some of the jobs available under the table today.
But of course it's illegal.
“The reason why we have to take cash jobs because tuition and living expenses are very high in the city,” said a former business student at GBC who asked to remain anonymous for legal reasons. “There is lot of exploitation when we work for cash. There is insecurity. We don't get paid on time and sometimes don't get paid at all.”
Under current rules, international students have to wait for the first six months before being eligible for an off-campus work permit.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the new rules for international students will take effect on June 1. The sixmonth waiting period will be abolished and students with valid study permits (pursuing academic, vocational or professional training of six months or more leading to a degree, diploma or certificate at a designated institution) will be eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session and full-time during scheduled breaks.
CIC claims that new regulations will improve services to genuine students, while protecting Canada's international reputation for high-quality education and reducing the potential for fraud and misuse of the program.
Tuition fees for international students at GBC have increased, effective May 5, from $5,700 to $6,440 per semester for both diploma and certificate programs. Degree programs are increasing by $950 this year for a total of $8,250 per semester. For larger, more prestigious schools tuition can be much higher. For example, the University of Toronto has first year international tuition rates that can exceed $30,000 and are expected to rise for the next few years.
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Toronto's centre is roughly $1,213 per month.
Working at minimum wage at 20 hours a week, can earn up to $888 a month. Rental, on top of tuition fees being on the rise and the limited amount of hours an international student is allowed to work, the numbers just don't add up.
A marketing student from GBC who also asked that we do not use their name for fear of deportation explained why they are willing to work for cash. “We go for cash jobs for two reasons, everything is so expensive; and they have a lot of restrictions on work permits.”
Citing their own personal story they said, “There is an employment agency in Cabbagetown [a Toronto neighbourhood], I went there looking for a job. After a few days they called me and said that they have some labour jobs available. They don't need your SIN, or work permit; they just want you to work. They collaborate with employers. They said that they will take 1.5 per cent commission per hour.”
The International Centre at GBC is more than happy to work with international students. However, they can not help students with resident visas, study or work permits; one is directed to the official CIC website or call centre.
International students currently have the option of working for the school without a work permit. Also, if you can handle the workload, it is possible to work for the college while working elsewhere on a valid work permit and there is no law or policy keeping student from working 20 hours off campus and 20 hours on campus.
Not declaring income is a federal offence and may result in deportation for international students. But with tuition fees on the rise, and without outside support from family members or loans, many international students see working for cash under the table as a worthwhile risk.
Under the table jobs, commonly known as ‘cash jobs,' have picked up momentum among international students looking for an alternative way to meet their expenses.
These jobs don't require a social insurance number or a work permit. It's a deal between the employer and the employee to work for cash. The employers sometimes pay below the minimum wage and dodge taxes, while employees often work more than the specified hours they are allowed. Tutoring, editing classmates' work, dog walking, working in repairs, being a handyman or participating in day labour are some of the jobs available under the table today.
But of course it's illegal.
“The reason why we have to take cash jobs because tuition and living expenses are very high in the city,” said a former business student at GBC who asked to remain anonymous for legal reasons. “There is lot of exploitation when we work for cash. There is insecurity. We don't get paid on time and sometimes don't get paid at all.”
Under current rules, international students have to wait for the first six months before being eligible for an off-campus work permit.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the new rules for international students will take effect on June 1. The sixmonth waiting period will be abolished and students with valid study permits (pursuing academic, vocational or professional training of six months or more leading to a degree, diploma or certificate at a designated institution) will be eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session and full-time during scheduled breaks.
CIC claims that new regulations will improve services to genuine students, while protecting Canada's international reputation for high-quality education and reducing the potential for fraud and misuse of the program.
Tuition fees for international students at GBC have increased, effective May 5, from $5,700 to $6,440 per semester for both diploma and certificate programs. Degree programs are increasing by $950 this year for a total of $8,250 per semester. For larger, more prestigious schools tuition can be much higher. For example, the University of Toronto has first year international tuition rates that can exceed $30,000 and are expected to rise for the next few years.
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Toronto's centre is roughly $1,213 per month.
Working at minimum wage at 20 hours a week, can earn up to $888 a month. Rental, on top of tuition fees being on the rise and the limited amount of hours an international student is allowed to work, the numbers just don't add up.
A marketing student from GBC who also asked that we do not use their name for fear of deportation explained why they are willing to work for cash. “We go for cash jobs for two reasons, everything is so expensive; and they have a lot of restrictions on work permits.”
Citing their own personal story they said, “There is an employment agency in Cabbagetown [a Toronto neighbourhood], I went there looking for a job. After a few days they called me and said that they have some labour jobs available. They don't need your SIN, or work permit; they just want you to work. They collaborate with employers. They said that they will take 1.5 per cent commission per hour.”
The International Centre at GBC is more than happy to work with international students. However, they can not help students with resident visas, study or work permits; one is directed to the official CIC website or call centre.
International students currently have the option of working for the school without a work permit. Also, if you can handle the workload, it is possible to work for the college while working elsewhere on a valid work permit and there is no law or policy keeping student from working 20 hours off campus and 20 hours on campus.
Not declaring income is a federal offence and may result in deportation for international students. But with tuition fees on the rise, and without outside support from family members or loans, many international students see working for cash under the table as a worthwhile risk.
