For a country that is so proud, a group of people that felt they could do anything - I am surprised how many are just giving up.
It has only been a few months and with good times, there are bad times.
I don't think running away is the answer.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/02/09/icelanders-manitoba.html
I also think it is unfair for the government to 'fast track' Icelandic applications when there are people who really need to move, and they wait.
Kinda sickning.
I do not think people are running away, they are just running too employment. Times are hard and are only going to get worse in Iceland as more companies are closing down, more jobs are lost. My car payment alone has gone from 30 thousand a month to 60 thousand a month. Luckily I only have a foreign loan on my car and not my house as well. There are some people who struggle to pay that 30 thousand a month on top of everything else, the dealers will not take the cars back, you can not sell a newer car today and if you have lost your job..then you head to Canada or anywhere else you can to make money so you do not lose your house.
ReplyDeleteI am surpised about the fast tracking though, like someone mentioned on the comments of the article, why not train the unemployable in Manitoba for the jobs they are willing to give the Icelanders?
Thanks for sharing the link!
very few jobs in Canada will leave enough to pay for a house in Iceland and still be able to live in Canada.
ReplyDeleteThis fast tracking makes me sooo angry. It is true, Canadians need these jobs.
I think it they want to help people who really need the jobs they can help people from country's that have people that really need them.
I also think there are still some jobs to get in Iceland. As immigrants are leaving they are leaving some jobs - even of these are the jobs an Icelander might not want.
I also think the government is responsible to help this loan problem - everyone is in the same boat.
I could go on forever.
My neighbor and his wife would love a job, they have both been unemployeed for quite a few months. No one is hiring, my daughter had two jobs, she lost them both and is now working about 14 days a month. If it is a job that requires a degree, then the employee can be picky now because there are so many unemployeed, I think it is more than a loan problem, but you are right. The government should be knocking their heads together to figure something out. I think they are, it is just not happening quick enough.
ReplyDeleteThere was an Icelandic guy on tv not so long ago who lost his job, house and car because of a halted construction job.
Most of the foreigners leaving Iceland in droves are the ones who were working construction, because construction has stopped. Those jobs can not be filled by Icelanders, because there are no jobs to fill.
Some foreigner living here who have lost their jobs can not even leave because they can not sell their homes. It is really a sad situation and it is like a domino effect.
I know Iceland is not the only country going through hard times, but In my 21 years here I have never seen it so bad here.
I wonder why Canada would fast track Icelanders though? Is the unemployment rate in Manitoba low??
I wish I remembered the link, but something like 130 000 Canadians just lost there jobs, they do not need an Icelandic work force.
ReplyDeleteThere is just some Icelandic descendants how had a say and want to help, but I still think it is wrong.
At least the people in Iceland had a house to lose. Some people do not have that.
This is the time for resourcefulness and change. Have they considered moving to the country? There are jobs if you leave the capital area. The nursing home here is hiring :)
(and I know the company Davíð works for needs people so there are jobs in Reykjavík too)
I agree. I'm sure there are low paying jobs out there for most people with humility and are willing to clean toilets instead of pretending to work at a desk all day.
ReplyDelete