When Rahul Joshi was a student in the culinary management program at Selkirk College91裸聊视频檚 Tenth Street Campus, he lived with seven other students in a two-bedroom apartment in Nelson.

Joshi was an international student from India, as were all his room-mates. For the duration of their studies in 2018-19, they lived in these crowded conditions because otherwise they could not afford housing.

91裸聊视频淲e were sharing the same kitchen, sharing the same bathroom,91裸聊视频� Joshi says. 91裸聊视频淭hat was not a really good experience. No personal space, nothing.91裸聊视频�

Joshi graduated from the program in 2019 and has since worked as a chef at Finley91裸聊视频檚 Bar and Grill in Nelson.

Until this month, the federal government only allowed international students to work 20 hours per week while attending school, leaving many of them with not enough money to pay even the most basic expenses.

But that rule has just changed. The federal government has that international students will now be permitted to work full time as of Nov. 15. The policy change is temporary though, and only runs through the end of 2023.

Until this change, many students were left penny-pinching, asking their parents back home for money, or working under the table.

91裸聊视频淚t was a big problem for us,91裸聊视频� says Harman Deep Singh, currently a culinary student from India who also works part time at Finley91裸聊视频檚. 91裸聊视频淚t is very difficult for us to make sure that we have all our finances covered. This is a very big step that will help us in our studies.91裸聊视频�

The culinary management program is for students from other countries who have already a credential in cooking or hospitality in their home country.

Joshi and Singh say that many international students in the program have earned extra hours (beyond the 20-hour limit) by working under the table, receiving cash payment, often at a lower wage rate.

91裸聊视频淚t is a difficult position to be in,91裸聊视频� says Joshi, 91裸聊视频渂ecause when they91裸聊视频檙e taking money from under the table, it is a threat to them if they get caught. They are going to get deported back to (their home country).91裸聊视频�

When the change takes effect on Nov. 15, this problem should disappear because students can work 40 hours.

Asked how feasible it is to work and go to school, both full time, Singh and Joshi say it91裸聊视频檚 possible, but some students91裸聊视频� grades suffer.

91裸聊视频淭hey don91裸聊视频檛 have any time for personal life,91裸聊视频� says Joshi. 91裸聊视频淎ll they91裸聊视频檙e doing is working and studying. That91裸聊视频檚 it.91裸聊视频�

Singh says that depends on individual students91裸聊视频� situations. This school term he can work lots of hours, he says, because his schooling is mostly practicum work in the kitchen at Selkirk College with occasional quizzes.

He says the new rule will give students more flexibility.

Tanya Finley, the employer of both Singh and Joshi, supports the change, adding that her main concern is fairness for the students.

91裸聊视频淚n this industry, we see a lot of international students (who are) having to work in unfair conditions,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭he international students that we have working for us, I91裸聊视频檓 extremely proud of. They are what I see as authentic, hardworking Canadians.91裸聊视频�

The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce meanwhile likes the decision because it will help alleviate the in Nelson, particularly in food and beverage workplaces.

Executive director Tom Thomson says the chamber has been advocating for this change.

91裸聊视频淲e are certainly in favour of the move,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t will be excellent for the students and also help with the labour shortage in Nelson.91裸聊视频�

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bill.metcalfe@nelsonstar.com
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