Canadian Customs Inspectors Hold Protest
Last week, Canadian customs inspectors held a protest against the federal government’s decision not to change their job classification and increase their pay, but the protest waned over the weekend when they were told continued action would bring severe discipline. Customs officers took the action in Ontario last week, saying they have the same duties as immigration officers at border crossings and should be recognized as part of the national security effort and receive the same wages. The federal government says the work of immigration officers is significantly different. Earlier this week, some workers said union members were looking to reinvigorate the protest with job action at airports and border crossings in Southern Ontario. Government spokesmen said the borders are operating normally and that there have been no unusual delays resulting.
UK Immigrants Bring Population To 60 Million
The influx of immigrants to Britain brought the population to more than 60 million, according to findings in the 2001 census. The figures confirm Britain’s position as the second most populous country in Europe, behind Germany, but by far the most densely packed. Immigration, at 180,000 a year, is the main growth factor. While the overall population is up sharply, Scotland and northern England’s industrial areas are lagging behind. Alex Neil, convener of the Scottish parliament’s enterprise and lifelong learning committee, said Scottish couples should be offered cash incentives to have children in order to halt a depopulation crisis, contrary to the national trend. Neil also proposed a task force in order to attract expatriate Scots back to their homeland and to increase immigration.
Russia Holds Its First Census Since Fall of Soviet Union
Russia’s census, the first since 1989, when the country was still a part of the Soviet Union, will provide a demographic snapshot of the nation and is likely to show sweeping social, political and economic changes. For the first time, the census will ask citizens to identify themselves by ethnicity. The results are expected to confirm what demographers have been predicting: a steady decline in Russian population due to ill health, migration and factors related to the aftermath of World War II. This year, there will be an issue of citizenship as well; in 1989, everyone was a citizen of the Soviet state.
The 3rd Time In Four Months, New Zealand Tightens Immigration Laws
Monday the government of New Zealand said it will tighten immigration rules for the third time since June, as the number of those applying to immigrate continues to rise. Starting next week, foreigners applying for entry as skilled migrants will need to be younger, better education and have more work experience. The government hopes the tougher rules will keep migration under its planned target of 45,000 for the year ending June 30, 2003. In 12 months ending June 30, the government saw 53,000 more migrants than it had planned for. The immigration pass mark has been raised from 29 to 30 points, in order to make it harder for immigrants to qualify in the general skills category.
Germany’s High Court Will Hear A Case Against New Immigration Law
Tuesday Germany’s highest court said it would consider a case against the government’s new immigration law, argued by the conservative opposition. The conservatives argue the law was passed unconstitutionally last March and complain the law sets no ceiling on immigration. The Court will hear arguments later this month. It is expected to deliver a ruling before the first of the year, when the law would take effect.
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