Living on the edge: Addressing employment gaps for temporary migrant workers under the Live-in Caregiver Program

This study evaluates unemployment gaps experienced by participants under Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) - a program which allows foreign nationals to enter Canada as temporary residents and, if they complete the program requirements, allows them to apply for permanent residence from within Canada. Using dat,a collected from legal files of a Vancouver based community organisation this study examines why some LCP workers experience longer employment gaps than others and what can be done to reduce these gaps. Policy alternatives are drawn from regression analysis and literature from olher jurisdictions. To reduce the lengthiest of gaps this study recoinmends work permits be extended from one to four years. This recommendation is supplemented with additional programming and evaluation option:;.