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Over 25000 Syrian refugees that came to Canada were settled in within months. The government supported some of them while the private groups and individuals supported others. The refugee supporters fund their housing costs, food, and transport for a fixed period of time.
Some refugees are highly experienced and have strong work ethics and can contribute greatly to the economy of the country. Take a look at the pros and cons of refugees.
Pros:
1. Skilled manpower: Refugees from countries like Syria are well educated and have advanced technology, therefore, they are highly skilled and become a net benefit than a drain in the country. They take time to learn a new language that will help them in various job markets.
2. Boost economic growth: Privately sponsored refugees are likely to get jobs more quickly and contribute to the economy of the country through taxes as well as improve their standards of living.
3. Resourceful: Some of the refugees are grateful for the support they get in the country and become very valuable and resourceful to that country.
4. Cheap labor: Some refugees are unskilled or semi-skilled and this makes them have a low bargaining power thus providing cheap labor to the country.
5. Population growth: More refugees in Canada has boosted the population growth of the country and they contribute largely to the economy of the country.
6. Less strain on the economy: The majority of the refugees are of working age with a few of them on the retirement age. Therefore, they can participate in building the nation through their different set of skills knowledge diffusions, and business networks.
7. Multiculturalism: Canada is open-minded and values multiculturalism and this gives the refugees the incentive and opportunity to assimilate quickly and improve themselves in an environment where their culture is valued.
8. Create job opportunities: Many businesses in Canada experience increased demand due to increased customers and hire more people to help them meet the demand thus creating job opportunities for Canadians.
9. Health care: Refugees have the right to Interim Federal health care facilities like natives.
Cons:
1. Strain to social security: Depending on the number of refugees in the country and how valuable they are, they can put a lot of strain on the social security of the country.
2. Exploitation: Refugees are frequently exploited and women are subjected to sex-trade slavery.
3. Feel the pressure: A refugee may feel that his/her sponsor has dedicated a lot of time and money to support him/her and there are also other families in the queue who also need the support. Therefore, they feel pressured to get the job as soon as possible and be self-sufficient.
4. Increased crime: There has been an increased number of crimes committed by the refugees and their families. Due to poverty and lack of affection, it may force some refugees to involve themselves in crimes.
5. Disproportionate social burden: The majority of refugees are survivors of violence and are subjected to a lot of trauma that forced them to flee their country. Some of them experience post-traumatic stress disorder or depression and it may be costly to provide the support they need. They’re also a burden to the community and this affects their social life.
6. Lower socioeconomic level: In areas where refugees have settled, they tend to drag down the socioeconomic level of that place and the adjacent population.
7. Affects infrastructure: They put a lot of strain on the infrastructure by putting so many people in large cities with fewer housing schemes and transport systems.
