First Year Winner: Precarious Migrants: the Effect of Globalization and Neoliberalism

SOSC 1190, International Migration. CD: Alina Marquez.

Abstract

This paper illuminates the exploitative nature of Canadian immigration policy through an analysis of the Caregiver Program, under which migrant women become live-in domestic workers for Canadian families. The paper stands out for the thorough critical analysis of the Migrant Caregiver Program and for the connections made to the forces of globalization and neoliberal ideals that underpin it. Exhaustively researched and carefully argued, Hines’ essay convincingly demonstrates that despite some changes to the liv-in program, the workers invited to Canada face many unjust challenges if they try to win permanent residence here.

What is most telling in this skilfully unpacked argument, is how Hines observes that the state’s official thanks for “the contributions caregivers make” underlines what is valued here: the economic impact of these Caregivers, and not the Caregivers themselves. Neoliberal economics needs low-wage earners, each as replaceable as the other, and the precarity of the Caregiver’s employment is exceptionally well-documented in this paper. Every essay needs to answer the so what question, and Hines’ conclusion is telling: we [Canada] are a “nation that furnishes itself with precarious and disposable labour.” No one can truly integrate under such conditions, and Hines’ does well to challenge the prevailing paradigm of Canada’s successful incorporation of immigrants.