International Students can now work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session, under new work regulations that came into effect this month.

Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), raised the cap from 20 hours in an announcement on November 15, 2024. This cap does not apply to on-campus work or off-campus work during academic breaks between terms.

In a survey conducted earlier this year in June, 72% of UFCW 1518 international student members said they rely on income from part-time jobs to help fund their studies. Financial challenges also impacted 88% of respondents, reporting difficulties since arriving in Canada. With high international student school fees, over 70% are struggling with rising school costs, and 60% expressed a need for additional work hours.

“Because international school fees are exorbitant and unregulated, this is a small step towards improvements for international student workers,” said UFCW 1518 President Patrick Johnson. “They deserve better working conditions, just like any other worker in BC. We will continue to fight to ensure they are treated fairly and that their well-being is safeguarded.”

This policy update brings some relief to many UFCW 1518 members by improving their access to work hours, so they can better manage the financial burden of high tuition fees, as well as allowing them to qualify for benefits in our major foods contracts.

UFCW 1518 is calling for urgent action to support international students working in British Columbia, as more needs to be done to address the financial challenges they experience. Join our campaign for fairness: https://ufcw1518.com/international-students