More than 155,000 federal workers in Canada have gone on a strike, affecting visa, immigration, and tax services, among others.
The strike, which has been considered among the largest in recent years, has been prepared by one of the largest labor unions Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
The public servants in this country previously announced that they would go on strike if a deal with the government regarding their demands, including wages, is not reached, VisaGuide.World reports.
Based on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship in Canada (IRCC), the visa and immigration services explained below will remain available during the strike.
According to the report of the Economic Times, persons will still be eligible to apply online, mail applications to the IRCC and also use online accounts, and access some emergency services.
In addition, settlement services from IRCC partner organizations, as well as health care through the Interim Federal Health program and visa application services located outside the country, would be offered.
At the same time, persons will be subject to delays with consular citizenship and passport services, processing applications, passport services in Canada, and also contacting Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship in Canada through email, phone, or social media.
Since 2021 these government employees who work in more than 20 departments have finished their duties without holding a contract; therefore, they decided to take such a decision.
According to union officials, the two sides are far apart on job security, wages, and remote work.
“These workers — like all workers — deserve fair wages and decent working conditions. Despite some progress at the bargaining table, our members are frustrated that while negotiations drag on, they continue to fall behind,” the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Chris Aylward.
He added that the largest union in the Canadian federal public sector has already been at the table for nearly two years, stressing that these workers can’t wait any longer.
“That’s why we’re setting a clock on this round of bargaining,” he noted, stressing that now more than ever, workers need fair wages, as well as good working conditions and inclusive workplaces.
“And it’s clear the only way we’ll achieve that is by taking strike action to show the government that workers can’t wait,” he stressed.
PSAC previously said that if a deal is not reached by Tuesday morning, a national strike would be called starting at 12:01 am today.
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