A Kamloops councilor is hoping to push the federal government to increase the number of hours international students are allowed to work — a change he says will help the city’s students and businesses. Sarai told Castanet Kamloops, international students are limited to 20 hours of work per week while classes are in session. Meanwhile, urban businesses of all types are struggling for staff, while the rising cost of living affects students. “The biggest fight [for businesses] it was the workers who were there, who they relied on to keep their businesses open, they were great workers, but they are limited to 20 hours. In the summer, they had 40. But the concern was over in the summer, the government put a cap on foreign students — 20 hours a week,” Sarai said. “A lot of businesses were concerned and echoed to me that if we lose 20 hours for each of these part-time employees, we might get to the point where we have to close.” Sarai added that the priority for international students is completing school and maintaining their grades, but he has heard from students who support a possible 10-hour increase. At last week’s council meeting, Bill Sarai submitted two proposals for council consideration. One proposal, if approved, would see city staff draft a letter to the Secretary of State recommending the federal government increase the limit on international student work hours. The other resolution would ask the city to voice its support for House Bill M-44 — to be debated in the legislature this fall — which seeks to provide a better path to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers, including international students, with Canadian work experience in industries with labor shortages. “That’s where my traffic alert came up,” Sarai said. “I felt it was my duty as a councilor to speak up for business in my city, and if other municipalities would like to come back to this motion notice and put more pressure on Ottawa, then that’s my goal.” Sarai said he has discussed the issue with international students in Kamloops, who said they would benefit from being able to work a few more hours. “Everything has gone up to survive in Canada. The cost of living, whether it’s gas, food, rent, housing, everything has gone up, except for their ability to work an extra hour,” Sarai said. He said students fear they won’t be able to meet the cost of living to stay in Kamloops. “These are students who are here in their second, third year, maybe. And they are in a field that we desperately need. And now, through no fault of their own, they may be forced to go home,” Sarai said. Since presenting the proposals to council last week, Sarai said he has received letters of support from the city’s business associations, as well as representatives from the hotel and hospitality industry. Sarai said he hopes if these proposals are approved, other cities will send their own letters of support. “I hope more municipalities across B.C. will participate. and Canada because they have the same concerns and are pushing for it as well,” Sarai said. Sarai’s two proposals are expected to be discussed by the council at its meeting on August 30.
