Canadian Embassy workers walk off job

Dubai: Canadian Embassy diplomatic workers confirm they are walking off the job on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and warned of “significant delays for Canadian visas expected across the UAE and the GCC” in their absence as part of a widening labour dispute with their government employers.

Tourists and students can continue to submit temporary and student visit visa applications but embassy and consulate workers said they will not to be on duty to sort and approve visas.

The diplomatic workers join colleagues at more than a dozen Canadian consular missions around the globe – including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait – to protest a breakdown in contract negotiations with the Canadian government over wages. Workers have walked off the job at consul posts around the globe for the last two months after being without a labour contract since June 2011.

In a statement, embassy and consulate staff said that Canadian Foreign Service workers living and working abroad are “paid as much as $14,000 (Dh50,000) less per year than their government colleagues in Canada who perform similar or identical work.”

The job action is being held, said the workers, “in protest of the Government of Canada’s unwillingness to engage meaningfully at the negotiating table.”

“The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is also responsible for processing all visitor, worker, student and resident visas for the UAE, as well as for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Yemen. In light of the large number of visa officers that have withdrawn service, the inventory of applications is growing and, as a result, processing times are longer. Hence, applicants of all types should expect delays, which may unfortunately lead to missed vacations to Canada, and possibly delayed start dates for those applying for study permits or work permits,” the workers said.

The Canadian government, meanwhile, countered the allegations by the Professional Association of Foreign Service Workers (PAFSO) asserting that government officials are acting in good faith to bring an end to the contractual impasse.

In a joint statement issued by Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, and Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, both officials said they are working to settle the issue.

“We will continue to bargain in good faith and welcome constructive efforts to reach a timely and reasonable settlement that fully restores the diplomatic, consular and other services Canadians pay for and expect.”

The Canadian government played down warnings of delays.

“In the meantime, we continue to take steps to ensure the timely processing of visas. The Canadian public is deeply concerned by PAFSO’s willingness to disrupt international business, including tourism during our busy spring and summer seasons,” said the officials. “However, we want to reassure Canadians and our international friends that despite PAFSO’s actions, Canada remains open for business and that we continue to welcome visitors and international students to experience Canada.”