Summary
The article “Discrimination and health of immigrants in Canada” discusses the situation in the country where the immigrants are still discriminated. The article is written by Batth (2014) and published in The Socialist, a forum where international revolutionary socialists form a world-wide network that opposes all social ills such as poverty, war, and oppression. The issue of discrimination n Canada has attracted the attention of this organization, and Batth (2014) explains the major areas in which the minorities are discriminated against in the country. Considering employment, the author cites the rate of unemployment among the immigrants, which at the time of publication was 17% as compared to 10% for the non-immigrants (Batth, 2014). Further cases of discrimination are related to compensation issues, where immigrant workers earned approximately 63 cents for each dollar made a Canadian-born resident (Batth, 2014). A key argument by Batth (2014) is that these discrepancies are not the result of education because about 43% of immigrants have university degrees. On the other hand, only 32.5% of the Canadian-born people have attained university education (Batth, 2014). This indicates that the immigrants possess better skills than residents.
The second area in which immigrants face discrimination is housing. Inequality in the country is manifested by the fact that immigrants cannot afford the same type of housing and amenities that the Canadian-born residents enjoy. Batth (2014) indicates that the majority of the immigrants live in the country’s congested industrial areas, where accommodation can be cheaper. The problems they face in such residences include pollution and deprivation of transport and other services. Poverty and violence, therefore, become a norm among this population.
Another area where inequality reflects itself is mental health. Batth (2014) highlights that the effects of discrimination go beyond the employment, income, and housing to include mental strain and its detrimental effects. Isolation, for example, is considered a serious situation among immigrants, which tends to cause conditions such as stress and mental health problems. Therefore, it is suggested that the only viable options for this population are unionization and seeking permanent residence in the country.
Reflection
The main argument provided by the author is that discrimination exists in Canada, being an immense problem for its victims. Discrimination is the instance where someone is treated differently because of their ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality. In Canada, discrimination manifests itself when immigrants are handled in a manner than contrasts that of the Canadian-born residents. It is a national problem that needs to be solved because of its health implications for the in-comers. Batth (2014) argues that there is a direct relationship between discrimination and health. As presented in the summary above, the author highlights two main areas where discrimination is practiced: employment and housing. Regarding employment, the author argues that the fact that the unemployment rate is higher for the immigrants suggests that they are discriminated against. A perfect example to back up this argument is the death of Jayesh Prajapati, who was trying to stop a motorist from driving off without paying for gas at a station (Batth, 2014). It was later revealed he was a qualified chemist who could not find a job in his profession and decided to work as a gas station attendant.
Considering housing, the author presents the argument that the immigrants cannot afford similar housing as the Canadian-born residents. They, therefore, have to live in poor and congested industrial areas and other districts associated with low incomes. Minimal help from the government means that this population is subjected to worsening conditions, especially because poverty is directly linked to violence. Batth (2014) argues that these conditions lead to poor mental health and wellbeing of the immigrants. Any country that discriminates against immigrants would have the same experiences
The question of how to resolve the problem at the national level can be answered by looking at the root causes. The lack of government support has been cited by Batth (2014) as a major concern. Therefore, government policies can help address discrimination against immigrants. Anti-discrimination legislation of Canada should reflect a requirement for fair treatment of the immigrants. Canada’s immigration policy often ensures that people coming into the country are productive meaning they bring in skilled labor. Therefore, the government should ensure that these skills are utilized properly, and that all immigrants are offered jobs that match their qualifications. Additionally, the rules should include equal compensation for the same job roles.
The Canadian government needs to work closely with the industries and employers to make sure the problem is resolved. Labor laws in the country should have a provision for fair treatment of immigration and a requirement for the companies to embrace cultural diversity. In addition to government policies, the recommendations offered by Batth (2014) are also feasible. In other words, unionization and permanent residency can assure the immigrants of fair treatment and less discrimination. Unions have the power to influence the decisions of both the government, and therefore, interaction with employers is the appropriate option for the immigrants.
Reference
Batth, G. (2014). Discrimination and health of immigrants in Canada. Internsational Socialists. Web.