Foreign
Canada cuts back on student job hours as UK weighs expansion
Canada has announced a remarkable policy change. The change limits Nigerians and other international students to 24 hours of off-campus work per week beginning this Fall Semester. The shift in policy replaces the temporary allowance of 40 hours that applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. IBRAHIM ADAM explores the impact of this policy on students’ finances, academics and career prospects, alongside the United Kingdom’s potential plans to adjust or remove its working hours limit.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau enunciated the temporary policy which allowed students, especially, international ones, to work up to 40 hours per week. It was a response to labour shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The policy was initially a relief measure to help international students manage the high cost of living and assist industries suffering from labour shortages.
The Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller stated that with the waning effects of the pandemic, the Canadian Government has reverted to a more restrictive work limit, emphasising the primary purpose of student visas.
“Students who come to Canada must be here to study. As such, allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week will ensure they focus primarily on their studies while having the option to work, if necessary,”
Miller stressed that the Canadian Government’s primary rationale for the new regulation is to maintain the integrity of the student programme.
“First and foremost, people coming to Canada as students must be here to study, not work. We will continue working to protect the integrity of our student programme,” he said.
Miller also noted that the decision aligns Canada with best practices observed in other countries.
“Canada needs to align with the best practices in other countries, else it would only attract those who intend to work and not study,” he said.
The government’s decision, he explained, is a perspective for a broader intent to ensure that Canada remains an attractive destination for genuine students rather than those seeking to exploit student visas for work opportunities.
Additionally, recent changes to Canada’s policies include increasing the cost-of-living threshold for study permit approval, aiming to financially prepare students for life in Canada and reduce dependence on work.
Furthermore, new regulations will affect foreign students enrolled in specific college programmes, with those beginning after May 15, ineligible for post-graduation work permits.
Financial implications
Critics have raised concerns that allowing full-time work for international students could undermine the purpose of a study permit, potentially transforming it into an unofficial work visa.
Conversely, many critics argue that the new policy does not consider the financial realities faced by international students.
The Director of Advocacy at the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), Mateusz Salmassi criticised the new rule, saying that reduced allowable work hours from 40 to 24 per week presents significant financial challenges for international students.
He pointed out that students will lose significant income due to the reduced work hours.
“On average, after this announcement, over 200,000 international students will lose at least $5,000 from their pocket annually,” Salmassi stated.
The student body said many of these students rely on part-time work to cover their living expenses, which are often higher in Canada compared to their home countries.
The CASA Director highlighted that the reduction will mean fewer international students from lower socio-economic backgrounds can afford education in Canada.
“The 24-hour limit will mean fewer international students from lower socio-economic backgrounds will have the ability to receive an education in Canada,” CASA stated.
Implications on academic performance
While financial concerns are paramount, the Canadian Government has justified the reduction by emphasising the need for students to focus on their studies.
The government said studies have indicated that students working more than 28 hours per week tend to show a decline in academic performance and a higher likelihood of dropping out.
“Research has shown that there is a considerable decline in academic performance for students working more than 28 hours per week and that working more than 24 hours per week increases the chances that a student will drop out of their programme,” Miller explained.
However, CASA has contested this claim, arguing that their research shows no significant negative impact on academic performance for students working additional hours.
Work experience and career prospects
Miller explained that while the new policy aims to ensure that students focus on their studies, it may inadvertently impact their ability to gain valuable work experience.
Part-time jobs often provide students with practical skills and networking opportunities crucial for their post-graduation careers.
“Working off campus helps international students gain work experience and offset some of their expenses,” Miller said.
The Associations said the limitation could affect students’ eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), especially for those enrolled in certain programmes under public-private partnerships, which are no longer eligible for the PGWP.
By limiting work hours, CASA argued that the students may miss out on opportunities to gain practical experience in their fields, which is crucial for their post-graduation employability.
The Association added that the reduced hours could mean fewer opportunities for students to engage in meaningful work experiences that align with their academic pursuits and career goals.
Comparisons with international policies
The recent decision by the Canadian Government is in contradistinction to such policies in other popular study destinations, potentially making it less attractive to prospective international students.
For instance, Australia recently updated its regulations, allowing students to work 48 hours every two weeks.
In the United States, international students on F-1 visas are typically limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term but can work full-time during holidays and breaks, similar to the policy Canada has maintained for scheduled breaks.
Germany and Finland have more lenient regulations, where students can work up to 120 full or 240 half days per year, offering more flexibility.
France allows students to work up to 964 hours per year, roughly translating to about 18.5 hours per week on average.
Labour market considerations
The temporary policy change during the pandemic was partly a response to labour shortages.
Canada’s decision to reduce the maximum allowable work hours for international students from 40 to 24 per week could significantly impact the country’s labour market, particularly in retail, hospitality, and food services, which rely heavily on part-time labour.
According to Labour Market analysts, the adjustment could have long-term implications for business operations and labour dynamics within these sectors.
“The reduction in work hours will shrink the labour supply in these sectors, potentially leading to labour shortages and increased competition for available workers,” they say.
The analysts explained that this shift may compel employers to offer higher wages or better working conditions to attract domestic workers, thereby increasing operational costs.
They said the economic contributions of international students, who spend a considerable portion of their earnings within local economies, could see a downturn.
“Reduced working hours will limit students’ disposable income, resulting in lower consumer spending and affecting local businesses, particularly those in university towns,” they maintained.
According to them, employers may face increased recruitment and training costs due to higher turnover rates, particularly in sectors that depend on part-time workers.
“A re-evaluation of recruitment strategies, with a potential focus on attracting more domestic part-time workers or investing in automation and efficiency improvements,” experts say.
Diplomatic relations and student numbers
The Canadian Government’s decision to reduce the permissible work hours for international students holds significant implications for diplomatic relations and the number of international students choosing to study in Canada.
However, the decision has sparked various reactions domestically and internationally, as it affects financial planning and the overall student experience.
For many countries that send large numbers of students to Canada, such as India, China, and South Korea, this policy change could necessitate adjustments in educational agreements and diplomatic dialogues.
These nations might view the reduction in work hours as a potential drawback for their students, who often rely on work opportunities to fund their education and living expenses abroad. The Canadian government might need to engage in more intensive diplomatic efforts to reassure these countries about the continued benefits of studying in Canada despite the new work-hour limitations.
A recent report by a study abroad agency, Apply Board, highlights Nigerians as Canada’s fastest-growing international student population.
The report states that between 2017 and 2019, the Canadian Government processed more student visa applications from Nigeria than any other country except India and China, albeit with an approval rate of less than 20 per cent.
However, by 2023 approval rates for Nigerian students have “nearly doubled” to almost 40 per cent of over 43,000 study permit applications.
“Nigerian student mobility to Canada is increasing at a momentous rate. Nearly 18,000 Canadian study permits were issued to Nigerians in the first six months of 2023, more than for any other country except India,” the report reads.
It further notes that “Nigerians were Canada’s fastest-growing international student population from January to June 2023, with 44 per cent more study permits issued during that period than in the full year of 2022.”
The report also emphasised the rising approval rates for Nigerian students, stating: “Study permit approval rates for Nigerians continued to rise across the first six months of 2023, to just fewer than 40 per cent. That’s more than double what approval rates were in 2020.” This trend signifies a growing recognition and acceptance of Nigerian students within the Canadian education system.
While Ontario and British Columbia remain the top destinations for Nigerian students, the report reveals that students from Nigeria are less centralised in these provinces compared to students from other countries. “Ontario and British Columbia accounted for around 63 per cent of study permits issued to Nigerians in the first six months of 2023. This was well short of the nearly 84 per cent of students who chose those two provinces as a destination across all countries of origin,” the report further explained.
Potential policy changes in the UK
In contrast to Canada’s restrictive approach, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government are considering increasing the work-hour limit for international students in the United Kingdom or possibly removing it entirely.
According to educations.com, the UK was ranked the “Top Destination in the World to Study Abroad” in 2023.
Currently, students on a Tier 4 visa are restricted to working 20 hours per week during term time, with extended hours allowed during holidays. However, this new proposal, which is still in its early stages, could see these limits lifted significantly, allowing students to work up to 30 hours or more each week.
“Students would have the opportunity to work longer hours, which could provide much-needed relief to both their finances and the labour market,” Sunak told the Daily Mail in a recent interview.
The Prime Minister emphasised that this measure is part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing the UK’s ongoing labour shortages.
“Companies are crying out for workers. By lifting the cap on international student working hours, we are looking at a range of ideas to remove barriers and encourage more students to work,” Sunak added.
According to the latest UK Labour Market Statistics, this proposed change comes at a critical time for the UK economy. The country is grappling with a labour shortage that has seen the unemployment rate hovering around 3.7 per cent, with 1.27 million people aged 16 and above currently unemployed.
The hospitality and retail industries, in particular, are facing acute staffing challenges, and increasing the availability of part-time workers could be a crucial step in addressing these gaps.
A second-year student at the University of Manchester, Priya Gupta said the prospect of increased work hours is a welcome one because any are struggling with the high cost of living, exacerbated by rising rent, food, and travel expenses.
Priya said the financial burden of exorbitant tuition fees has left many students in need of supplementary income.
“Being able to work more hours would significantly ease my financial pressure. It would allow me to cover my expenses more comfortably and focus better on my studies without constantly worrying about money,” Gupta said.
Source: The Nation
President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping reciprocal tariffs Wednesday, saying “our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, plundered” by other nations.
Of the 180 countries, including U.S. allies, that are now being hit with retaliatory tariffs, Russia isn’t on the list.
Following Trump’s Rose Garden announcement, a White House official told NOTUS’ Jasmine Wright that Russia is “not on this list because sanctions from the Ukraine war have already rendered trade between the two countries as zero.”
War-torn Ukraine will face a 10 percent retaliatory tariff. In addition, many other former Soviet satellites and republics are also on Trump’s list.
Belarus, Cuba and North Korea, other countries that face US sanctions, also weren’t hit with reciprocal tariffs.
However, Iran and Syria, also facing heavy embargoes and sanctions, were hit with additional tariffs on Wednesday of 10 and 40 percent, respectively.
Why It Matters
Russia is seeking to remove the Western sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine that have caused substantial pain to its economy. The European Union has described its own sprawling sanctions against Russia as “massive and unprecedented.”
Beginning during former President Joe Biden’s administration, the U.S. has imposed a wide range of sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, interference in foreign elections, cyberattacks and human rights abuses. These measures target key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, finance, defense and technology. Major Russian banks have been cut off from the global financial system, assets of Russian oligarchs have been frozen, and export controls have restricted access to critical technologies.
Sanctions have also focused on individuals close to President Vladimir Putin, aiming to pressure the Kremlin by isolating its political and economic elite. In coordination with allies in Europe and Asia, the U.S. has expanded these sanctions since 2022, seeking to weaken Russia’s ability to fund its war efforts while supporting Ukraine through military and financial aid.
Senators Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal are the lead sponsors of a bipartisan bill which would impose new primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and entities supporting Putin’s aggression if Moscow does not engage in peace talks or undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Amid concerns the Trump administration would hand Moscow an advantage in peace negotiations, the bill sponsored by 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats signals cross-party consensus against Putin’s aggression.
The bill includes imposing 500-percent tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products.
On Sunday, Trump also vowed to impose “secondary tariffs” on nations that purchase oil from Russia if Moscow fails to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The proposed tariffs, which range from 25 to 50 percent, would therefore not directly target Russia but would penalize foreign countries that continue trading with it, thereby discouraging global support for the Russian oil industry.
Newsweek
A South Korean court on Friday ordered impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to be released from jail, a move that could allow Yoon to stand trial for his rebellion charge without being physically detained.
Yoon was arrested and indicted in January over the Dec. 3 martial law decree that plunged the country into political turmoil. The opposition-controlled parliament separately voted to impeach him, leading to his suspension from office.
The hearings in his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court concluded in late February, and that court is expected to rule soon on whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him.
The Seoul Central District Court said it accepted Yoon’s request to be released from jail because the legal period of his formal arrest expired before he was indicted.
The court also cited the need to resolve questions over the legality of the investigations on Yoon. Yoon’s lawyers have accused the investigative agency that detained him before his formal arrest of lacking legal authority to probe rebellion charges.
Investigators have alleged that the martial-law decree amounted to rebellion. If he’s convicted of that offense, he would face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Yoon’s defense team welcomed the court’s decision and urged prosecutors to release him immediately. The presidential office also welcomed the court’s decision, saying it hopes Yoon will swiftly return to work.
However, South Korea law allows prosecutors to continue to hold a suspect whose arrest has been suspended by a court temporarily while pursuing an appeal.
The main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which led Yoon’s Dec. 14 impeachment, called on prosecutors to immediately appeal the court’s ruling.
Yoon’s martial law decree, which involved the dispatch of troops and police forces to the National Assembly, evoked traumatic memories of past military rules among many South Koreans. The decree lasted only six hours, as enough lawmakers managed to get into an assembly hall and voted to overturn it unanimously.
Yoon later argued his decree was only meant to inform the people of the danger of the opposition Democratic Party, which undermined his agenda and impeached top officials, and said he dispatched troops to the assembly only in order to maintain order. But some top military and police officers sent to the assembly have told Constitutional Court hearings or investigators that Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to obstruct a vote on his decree or detain politicians.
If the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, he will be officially thrown out of office and a national election will be held to choose his successor within two months. If the court rejects his impeachment but he is still in jail, it’s unclear whether and how soon he will be able to exercise his presidential powers.
Massive rallies by opponents and supporters of Yoon have filled the streets of Seoul and other major South Korean cities. Whatever the Constitutional Court decides, experts say it will likely further polarize the country and intensify its conservative-liberal divide.
Yoon is the first South Korean president to be arrested while in office. South Korean law gives a president immunity from most criminal prosecution, but not for grave charges like rebellion or treason.
By law, a president in South Korea has the power to put the country under martial law in wartime and similar emergency situations, but many experts say South Korea wasn’t in such a state when Yoon declared martial law.
The Washington Times
Foreign
Saudi Arabia follows Donald Trump’s footsteps, deports over 8,700 illegal residents in one week
Saudi Arabia has deported 8,733 illegal residents in the past week as part of a nationwide crackdown on residency, labour, and border violations, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.
Between January 30 and February 5, security forces carried out joint field operations in collaboration with multiple government agencies, leading to the arrest of 21,477 individuals across various regions of the Kingdom. Those detained included 13,638 violators of the Residency Law, 4,663 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,176 violators of the Labor Law, the ministry said.
The operation also apprehended 1,316 people attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia illegally, with 40 per cent identified as Yemeni nationals, 58 percent as Ethiopian nationals, and 2 per cent from other nationalities. An additional 77 individuals were arrested while trying to leave the country unlawfully.
Authorities also referred 28,661 violators to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 2,919 individuals were in the process of completing travel reservations.
The crackdown extended beyond undocumented individuals, with 13 people arrested for facilitating illegal entry, providing shelter, or employing violators.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that 37,120 individuals—33,547 men and 3,573 women — are currently undergoing legal procedures ahead of further punitive measures.
Saudi law imposes severe penalties on those assisting illegal migration, including prison sentences of up to 15 years and fines of up to SR1 million ($266,000). The ministry warned that vehicles and properties used to transport or harbor violators will be confiscated.
Gulf News
All 10 people on the Bering Air caravan that was reported missing Thursday are confirmed dead, Alaska State Troopers said.
“Our hearts are heavy with grief as we process this heartbreaking news. At this time, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy. We recognize the profound loss this has caused, and we want to extend our sincerest condolences to everyone impacted,” Alaska State Troopers said in a statement Saturday.
Efforts to recover the victims’ bodies were expected to begin Saturday on the sea ice where the plane crashed, 34 miles southeast of Nome, Alaska, according to the Alaska State Troopers.
The wreckage was found on Friday with three people initially found dead inside, the Coast Guard said.
The remaining seven people were also believed to be inside the wreckage but were “inaccessible due to the condition of the plane,” the Coast Guard said Friday.
“Our heartfelt condolences are with those affected by this tragic incident,” the Coast Guard said.
There were nine passengers, all adults, and a pilot on board the commuter plane, authorities said.
The Alaska State Troopers will handle the recovery of the bodies, Coast Guard Lt. Commander Mike Salerno told ABC News. The Alaska National Guard also said Saturday that it would provide personnel and equipment to help with the operation including two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, a Nome-based UH-60L Black Hawk, an HC -130J Combat King II and a team of pararescuemen.
The wreckage was found by a search and rescue crew on a USCG MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and then two rescue swimmers were lowered down to survey the plane.
The US State Department has issued a halt to nearly all existing foreign assistance and paused new aid, according to an internal memo sent to officials and US embassies abroad.
The leaked notice follows President Trump’s executive order issued on Monday for a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance pending a review of efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy.
The United States is the world’s biggest international aid donor spending $68bn in 2023 according to government figures. The State Department notice appears to affect everything from development assistance to military aid.
It makes exceptions only for emergency food aid and for military funding for Israel and Egypt. The leaked memo’s contents have been confirmed by the BBC.
“No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved,” says the memo to staff.
It adds that US officials “shall immediately issue stop-work orders, consistent with the terms of the relevant award, until such time as the secretary shall determine, following a review.”
It also orders a wide scale review of all foreign assistance to be completed within 85 days to ensure the aid adheres to President Trump’s foreign policy goals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio – the US’s top diplomat – has previously stated that all US spending abroad should take place only if it makes America “stronger”, “safer” or “more prosperous”.
One former senior State Department official told the BBC the notice meant a “potentially huge” impact on foreign aid programmes funded by the US.
“One can imagine, for example, the humanitarian de-mining programmes around the world suddenly being told stop work. That’s a pretty big deal,” said Josh Paul, who oversaw Congressional relations on weapons transfers at the State Department until late 2023.
Dave Harden, a former US Agency of International Aid (USAID) mission director in the Middle East, told the BBC the move was “very significant”, saying it could see humanitarian and development programmes funded by the US around the world being immediately suspended, while the review is carried out.
He said it could affect a wide range of critical development projects including water, sanitation and shelter.
“The employees of the implementing partner or the [non-governmental organisation] would be able to be paid, but actual assistance, I think, needs to be halted,” said Mr Harden.
“I have gone through [assistance suspensions] many times when I was the West Bank and Gaza mission director, but that was specific to that account. This is global,” he said.
“Not only does it pause assistance, but it puts a ‘stop work’ order in existing contracts that are already funded and underway. It’s extremely broad,” he added.
The AFP news agency reported the funding freeze could also potentially affect Ukraine, which received billions of dollars in weapons under Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden.
Rubio’s memo, justifying the freeze, said it was impossible for the new administration to assess whether existing foreign aid commitments “are not duplicated, are effective and are consistent with President Trump’s foreign policy”.
Rubio has issued a waiver for emergency food assistance, according to the memo.
This comes amid a surge of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began, and several other hunger crises around the world, including Sudan.
The memo also said waivers have so far been approved by Rubio for “foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt and administrative expenses, including salaries, necessary to administer foreign military financing”.
The State Department has been approached for comment.
Credit: BBC
The Kremlin said on Thursday it saw nothing particularly new in a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to hit Russia with new sanctions and tariffs if it did not agree to end the war in Ukraine.
Referring to Russia and the war, Trump said on Wednesday: “If we don’t make a ‘deal,’ and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.”
Trump said he would be doing a very big favour to Russia and Putin by getting them to bring an end to what he called “this ridiculous war”.
Asked about Trump’s comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump had often applied sanctions against Russia in his first term as president.
“We do not see any particularly new elements here,” Peskov told reporters. “He likes these methods, at least he liked them during his first presidency.”
Moscow was closely monitoring all Trump’s statements, said Peskov.
“We carefully record all the nuances. We remain ready for dialogue, President Putin has repeatedly spoken about this – for equal dialogue, for mutually respectful dialogue.”
Trump, who earlier this week said the Ukraine conflict was “destroying” Russia, has said he plans to speak to Putin soon. Peskov said Moscow was still waiting for “signals” from the U.S. side.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Fulham for April 20
Rivers crisis: I will forgive Fubara if… – Wike
Nigeria customs records N7.1 billion revenue from export supervision scheme
Ojulari unveils NNPC’s $60bn investment drive, eyes 3mbpd crude production by 2030
Man kills ex-wife’s lover, insists she must not remarry
4 major places in Lagos you should never walk alone at night
Wike breaks silence on Peter Obi, 2023 election
Iyabo Ojo confesses: Lies I told my kids about their father
Jurgen Klopp breaks silence as ex-Liverpool manager ‘targeted’ for Real Madrid job
Kylian Mbappé cleared for Copa del Rey Final
Economy7 days agoEconomy: IBB breaks silence on Tinubu’s government, reveals what Nigerians should do
Crime6 days agoHuman trafficking allegation: Nigerian Community leadership in Ivory Coast calls for peace talk
Showbiz & Lifestyle7 days agoAfter scandalous marriage, Toke Makinwa don’t mind becoming 5th wife, gives reasons.
News7 days agoFresh prophecy reveals who wins 2027 election as Tinubu warned
Showbiz & Lifestyle2 days agoIyabo Ojo confesses: Lies I told my kids about their father
Spotlights3 days agoTariff War: How Trump will stop Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 – Prophet Ayodele
Politics3 days ago4 major reasons why Peter Obi has better chance than Atiku in 2027