Nannies and their Work Permits

Delayed work permit for Nannies

Most of the families with small babies have a nanny as a help. In countries like Canada, these nannies have to get a work permit and then only can they work.

Before the work permit expires one has to get the same renewed. For this, a letter is needed from the employer as a proof entailing the continuance of work. These days the nannies are facing a problem in getting the renewal done on time.

Kay Manuel, Toronto’s Caregivers Action Centre said, “Some of the members called the immigration phone line and they are told to get a new live in caregiver as CIC does not know how long the open –work permit will take.”

Manuel herself had applied almost a year back for her work permit and is still waiting till now. CIC reports that there is an inventory of 2,367 permanent resident cases and they are not aware of the number of cases waiting for the open work permit.

According to a report there is a decline in the number of nannies by 40% mainly due to the prolonged processing time of 15 months to get a work permit. The work permit takes longer may be due to over flooding of nannies.

The law says that they can come from other countries on temporary permits and work for an employer. Later they can apply for permanent residency, after completing two years of their service. There are working parents who have been complaining and contacting the local agencies to get a nanny for themselves.

Genevieve Thiers, founder of Sittercity.com says, “Families are cutting down upon their nannies as we are back in recession.” In a poll conducted by Sittercity.com 17% of the parents admitted that they are forced to get back to work due to the economic condition.

This in turn would demand the nannies to look after the kids at home. At the same time the availability and affordability is questioned. Jennifer Winter, an owner of Nannies in Miami says, “Middle class parents are faced by the economy to make cuts in their nannies.”

Annie Davis another owner of such an agency reports a 10% decline in the demand of nannies. It is a catch 22 situation, on one hand mother’s recession is forcing mothers to take up full time jobs, on the other hand nannies are not readily available, even if they are the affordability has to be thought of. Situation becomes worse if the nannies do not get a work permit.