Temp phenomenon part of globalization
trapped in endless ‘temp’ jobs, May 11 Sara Mojtehedzadeh’s articles humanize the marginalization of workers in Canada. The 33-per-cent increase in Toronto’s temporary workers since 2004 is alarming and there is more to the issue.
The imperfect temp agencies are not the cause of forcing Canadians to subsist in conditions of need or poverty. While profiteering from the plight of the underemployed, this spinoff industry merely expanded into a market left unattended by governments and unions that once helped the unemployed. Those abusing workers to enhance profits simply followed the dictates of business to maximize profits while governments let that happen.
This goes beyond menial labour since professionals are included as well — teachers, college and university professors, accountants, etc. Many of us are related to new graduates who face unemployment and underemployment for their foreseeable futures.
The increase in temporary workers is not restricted to the GTA. Those numbers have been increasing across Canada and around the world. To understand why this is happening, follow the money to find who or what is profiting. Low wages, no benefits, a flexible workforce are profit generators for employers using temporary workers.
These companies are located everywhere. This phenomenon is part of the globalization of business, financial institutions, manufacturing, agriculture.
As globalization continues to maximize profits for the companies how, if at all, will the workers benefit? Andre Clement, Sudbury, Ont.
Re Workers
As a “small business” owner in Canada, we have spent the last 29 years trying to make working with our company so enjoyable for our employees that they would never consider leaving.
I don’t understand the narrow-minded thinking of some fellow employers who are paying more than they need to in order to hire temp workers, when they could just as easily pay their workers a decent wage and earn their undying loyalty to their company. Sabine Schleese, Holland Landing, Ont.