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September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 IFMNEWS

Canada Reduces International Student Study Permit Cap, Tightens Work Permit Rules and More

Canada is making notable changes to its temporary residence programs to better manage the flow of temporary residents and safeguard the integrity of its immigration system. The government is reducing the cap on international student study permits by 10% for 2025 and introducing stricter eligibility criteria for work permits.

These adjustments, as stated in a news release on Thursday, are part of Canada's effort to align its immigration policies with evolving economic and humanitarian needs, while ensuring a sustainable system. A post from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada on social media confirmed: "We’re taking these steps to strengthen our immigration system, address the changing needs of our country, and continue to grow our population responsibly."

In 2022, the Canadian government announced plans to limit the intake of international students. Now, the intake cap for study permits will drop from 485,000 to 437,000 in 2025, and this limit will remain in place through 2026. Additionally, updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program aim to better match immigration goals with labor market demands. Starting later this year, work permits will only be granted to spouses of master's degree students in programs lasting at least 16 months and to spouses of foreign workers in managerial or professional roles or in sectors with labor shortages.

The government is also implementing further reforms to the temporary foreign worker program. As part of its goal to reduce the proportion of temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of the population by 2026, Canada is tightening work permit eligibility, reinforcing employer compliance, and making labor market impact assessments more rigorous to combat fraud.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized the importance of a sustainable and well-managed immigration system, stating, "Not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to, and not everyone who wants to stay will be able to." He added that the government is committed to adapting the system to meet today’s economic demands and set newcomers up for success.

Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, noted that the changes prioritize Canadian workers, ensuring that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program addresses genuine labor shortages.

The measures, the government says, will help maintain system integrity while responsibly growing the country's population.

September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 IFMNEWS

FG Warns Nigerians: Lagdo Dam Water Released, Evacuate Floodplains Immediately

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has announced that water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has been released into the River Niger and River Benue in Nigeria’s North Central region. NIHSA has urged residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate immediately to safer locations in anticipation of potential floods resulting from the release.

NIHSA Director General, Umar Mohammed, delivered this warning during a broadcast on Thursday, stating that the agency had coordinated with Cameroonian authorities to release the water from the Lagdo Dam in stages to minimize the risk of flooding across 11 vulnerable states in Nigeria. These states include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

Represented by the Director of Operations and Hydrology, Femi Bejide, Mohammed explained that water release from the dam began on Wednesday, with measures in place to regulate the flow and prevent major flooding. Despite this, he emphasized that all Nigerians, especially those in floodplains, must act responsibly by relocating and ensuring their surroundings, including drainages, are clear of blockages to allow water to flow freely.

He added that the Federal Government, NIHSA, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are all prepared, but individuals must also contribute by taking preventive measures to avoid flooding. Mohammed stressed the importance of personal responsibility, particularly for those living in high-risk areas.

The release of water from the Lagdo Dam follows recent flooding from the Alau Dam, which claimed over 30 lives and destroyed thousands of homes in Maiduguri, Borno State. In 2022, floods devastated several states in Nigeria, causing 665 deaths and displace millions. So far in 2024, floods have affected over 1 million people, displaced 625,239, and resulted in 259 fatalities, according to NEMA.

Mohammed also noted that NIHSA has submitted a report to the Presidency on long-term solutions, including the need to de-silt some of Nigeria’s dams to better manage water flow.

September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 IFMNEWS

Private Employers Paying Below ₦70,000 Risk Imprisonment – FG

The Federal Government has urged private sector recruitment agencies to comply with the ₦70,000 minimum wage requirement, warning that non-compliance will not be tolerated. The FG emphasized that this wage adjustment is necessary to reflect the current economic realities and affirmed that no Nigerian worker, whether in the public or private sector, should be paid below this threshold.

Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, made this statement during the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) in Ikeja, Lagos. Represented by the ministry's Director of Employment and Wages, John Nyamali, Abubakar stated, "The minimum wage is now enshrined in law, and any employer paying less than ₦70,000 is committing a punishable offense."

He urged private employment agencies to ensure that any contracts with their clients reflect the minimum wage requirement, stressing that workers should receive at least ₦70,000 after deductions. He added, "Failure to comply with the law on the minimum wage can result in imprisonment, and the Federal Government is committed to enforcing this."

EAPEAN President, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, called on the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to clarify whether the ₦70,000 minimum wage is based on net or gross income, urging that any ambiguities in the policy be addressed. He reassured that EAPEAN is committed to providing decent jobs and preventing exploitation of workers.

"We are a law-abiding organization and are dedicated to implementing the minimum wage," Ogunlowo said. "However, the government must specify whether the ₦70,000 is net or gross, and the NLC should resolve these ambiguities."

During the event, Funmilayo Sessi, Chairperson of the Lagos State NLC, noted that the economic hardship in Nigeria has significantly reduced the value of workers' earnings, making the ₦70,000 wage crucial. She called on private employers to ensure the immediate implementation of the new wage once consequential adjustments are finalized.

"The N70,000 is insufficient given the current economic situation," Sessi remarked. "Once adjustments are made, private employment agencies must comply with the new minimum wage. The NLC in Lagos will enforce this strictly, and EAPEAN should avoid any confrontation over it."

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Author: IFMNEWS

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