Immigrant and visible women face bars to jobs in Alberta non-profit sector.

Immigrant and minority women experience difficulties in obtaining full-time, well paying work in Alberta's non-profit human service organizations, according to an Alberta study.

The report, Equitable Treatment of Immigrant / Visible Minority Women as Employees and Volunteers in the Alberta Voluntary Sector, points out that because of these barriers, many had to return to school to upgrade their skills and/or accept jobs with much lower salaries, with little or no benefits.

The report cites:

* systemic and structural barriers to the recognition of foreign qualifications;

* inadequate and/or inconsistent human resource practices and procedures;

* lack of investment in staff training and development.

Executive directors, on the other hand, told interviewers that they are trying to deal with inadequate human resources. However, there is not enough personnel to carry out their mission. The strain is caused by limited funding, difficulty in paying qualified staff competitive wages and benefits, and the need to devote inordinate amounts of time and energy to secure the funds necessary to cover operational costs. They pointed the finger at the practice of project based funding as increasing the cost pressures on voluntary organizations.

"Funding problems stress all employees of non-profit organizations." It increased the responsibilities and difficulties for employees to complete the work assigned, to meet the needs of clients and to keep the organization operating smoothly.

The women reported they felt more vulnerable to the problems in the workplace. As compared to non-minority, they believed that they have to tolerate a negative working environment and could not find alternative employment in another organization.

The study includes a number of recommendations that call upon the voluntary sector to:

* address racism and discrimination;

* recognize foreign credentials;

* rectify funding shortfalls;

* create equitable workplaces.

The study was conducted by the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, funded by Status of Women Canada.

The report is based on focus groups women convened in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton, and interviews with executive directors and key personnel who work in, or support human services in the non-profit sector. Colleen McCracken conducted the project.

www.calgarycvo/org