The IOM temporary labour migration programme from Guatemala to
Canada is assisting 1,000 migrants to travel to Canada this month.

Every working day during the month of June, some 45 Guatemalan
labour migrants depart Guatemala City en route to Canada where they
will begin their temporary assignments, ranging from four to eight
months, with 144 Canadian employers.

Some 90 per cent of the migrants have been hired to work in the
province of Quebec, mainly around Montreal; the rest will be
employed in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

To prepare the migrants for their new jobs in Canada, IOM
provides pre-departure assistance and cultural orientation
sessions.

"This year we decided to invite persons who have participated in
our programme to the orientation sessions to speak to those
traveling for the first time.  We ask them to be frank and
share their experiences so that the new recruits have an idea of
what to expect," explains Stefan Mantsch, IOM Labour Migration
Specialist.

Other important issues covered by IOM during the cultural
orientation are: work-related injuries, how to contact a doctor in
case of illness, hourly wages, taxes, paid vacation, proper
nutrition, respect for other workers and their space, the role of
the Guatemalan consulate in Canada, and sending remittances to
families back home.

"At the end of the cultural orientation session, participants
receive their contracts in Spanish.  We want to make sure they
have all the details of their contracts, including the name of the
employer, length of contract, specific tasks and hourly wages,"
adds Mantsch.

Since the programme began in 2003 it has grown each year; from
215 migrants and 10 employers to over 14,000 migrants and 500
employers.

IOM provides technical assistance to the Guatemalan Government,
carries out field recruitment for new participants, conducts
fit-for-work evaluations, helps new recruits prepare the necessary
documents and other requirements for travel to Canada, arranges for
medical clearance, provides pre-departure orientation sessions,
arranges flights, and provides assistance at the airport.

For more information, please contact:

Stefan Mantsch

IOM Guatemala

Tel: +502.2367 4753

E-mail: "mailto:smantsch@iom.int">smantsch@iom.int