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Indo-Canadians battle to win skilled jobs
Dr. Gian Singh Sangha has not been able to get a job in his field

Kim Bolan / Read this article at the Vancouver Sun

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

IMMIGRANT WORKERS CLAIM DISCRIMINATION: Dr. Gian Singh Sangha, an India-born scientist, was denied a job in the Northwest Territories after he was deemed to be overqualified. He won a human rights commission decision a year ago, but was not offered a job or compensation.

Scientists, doctors and other highly skilled immigrants are driving taxis and working security jobs because of discrimination against foreign-trained professionals, say Indo-Canadian community leaders.

And they want all levels of government to work to end discrimination against foreign credentials so that Canada can benefit from immigrants with advanced education.

Jarnail Singh Bhandal, of the Khalsa Diwan Society, joined more than a dozen leaders at Vancouver's Ross Street temple Tuesday to voice support for Dr. Gian Singh Sangha, an India-born scientist who was denied a job in the Northwest Territories after he was deemed to be over-qualified.

Sangha won a human rights commission decision a year ago saying he was discriminated against, but was not offered a job or compensation.

He is now taking his case to the Federal Court of Canada next week to seek a remedy in an action supported by Bhandal's society, as well as the Akali Singh and Guru Nanak Sikh temples.

"We realize that the talent of the people coming here are underutilized," Bhandal said. "Whoever comes here, their credentials should be recognized and there should not be any discrimination."

Sangha, who has not been able to get a job in his field, said many have been affected in a similar way in trying to gain employment in Canada.

"It does not make any sense that a PhD or an engineer or a medical doctor should drive a taxi or do a security job for $10 or $12," Sangha said.

His lawyer David Perry said Canada is operating under "false pretences," bringing in immigrants because of their qualifications and then making it hard for them to find work.

"We are desperately short of skilled labour. We are scouring the world looking for skilled labour. When they come we won't hire them."

Sangha, 58, is asking the federal court to award him back pay or employment in his field after he was turned down in 2001 for a job with the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board despite being top-rated for the position.

Indo-Canadians are not the only people affected by the problem, said Vancouver City Coun. George Chow, a professional engineer and an immigrant himself.

"I think our government has opened the doors to these qualified professionals to come to the country so to deny them the opportunity for employment, it is just not acceptable," Chow said.

"What about all the immigrant professionals who are driving trucks, taxis or being cooks or waiters in restaurants?"

There are several issues professional immigrants face -- some, like Sangha, say they are denied jobs because they are overqualified.

Others find their credentials are not accepted in Canada and therefore also lose work in their chosen careers.

Harkirat Singh, who holds several university degrees from Punjab said he has also lost good jobs because he was deemed overqualified.

"I am also a victim of this discrimination. Although we love Canada, still we have some problems in this country," Singh said.

"I have also applied for so many jobs and because I have too many university degrees from India, I have also suffered from this kind of racism."