Labour shortage
The labor shortage that is currently hitting the province hard is not going away. The government estimates that by 2030, 1.4 million jobs to be filled in Quebecwhile more than 25% of the population will be aged over 65.
According to Institut de la statistique du QuébecThe unemployment rate in the province was 4.4% in September 2022. It can therefore be argued that Quebec is in a situation of full employment. However, many positions remain to be filled.
This shortage, which spares no region and no sector, is a real challenge for entrepreneurs and employers looking for workers. Faced with this difficulty in hiring in Quebec, more and more of them are turning to an alternative solution: temporary foreign workers.
Housing foreign workers
While hiring foreign workers solves the problem of employee shortages, it does not come without its share of challenges. The first to come to mind is accommodating them. How to house foreign workers properly?
All the more so as Quebec is currently going through a housing crisis. In June 2022, the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l'habitation du Québec estimated that there was a shortfall of 100,000 housing units to meet demand of the province. So the search for an apartment or house to house this extra workforce is not without effort.
In search of a solution, some employers ask their employees to help out by housing their new colleagues. Others turn to hotels or motels. Some even go so far as to planning housing construction for their new workers. However, there is another solution available to employers: temporary rental. Whether to house seasonal or permanent foreign workers, temporary rental offers attractive opportunities and benefits for employers.
Visit temporary foreign workers
Whether in industry, catering, agriculture or any other sector, temporary foreign workers are a solution to a one-off labor shortage or a busier time of year.
The housing solutions available to employers in this situation are not always suitable. Almost all accommodation is offered on a very short-term or long-term basis, which is not adapted to the reality of seasonal foreign workers.
Hotel rooms
Renting hotel or motel rooms is not a very viable solution for foreign workers. Although some chains offer substantial discounts for longer stays, this is still the most expensive solution. What's more, in most cases, this type of accommodation doesn't offer a kitchen or living room. The same goes for laundry. The quality of life for seasonal workers is therefore not optimal. This could influence their productivity and make them unwilling to return in the future. It's always a good idea to have temporary foreign employees return year after year. They require less explanation and training.
Airbnb
Rent a property on Airbnb may seem viable, but it has to be said that these properties are rarely available for an entire season, and this option would be one of the most expensive.
Long-term lease
Signing a long-term lease for a rental apartment or condo may then seem a better option. The first challenge is to find available housing close to the workplace! Secondly, employers have to pay rent throughout the year, even in the months they don't use it. They also have to pay for home insurance, Internet bills, electricity and heating. What's more, unless they manage to find a fully furnished apartment, the employer will have to equip it from A to Z. So we're not only talking costs, but also a lot of time to invest if you choose this option.
Temporary rentals
Temporary rentals are the best of both worlds. It combines flexibility and the ease of hotels and amenities a long-term lease. Whether you're renting a condo or a house, short-term rentals are the best solution for those who want to rent for a period of more than 31 days. Unlike long-term rentals, short-term rentals offer you a turnkey product, i.e. a fully-equipped, furnished apartment with heating, lighting and Internet access. It's also worth bearing in mind that foreign workers can cook and do their laundry in a temporary rental unit. This has a direct impact on their expenses and quality of life. Some companies, like Arrow Location, also offer the option of taking care of housekeeping!
Arrow Location even suggests new quality units in real estate parks offering a ton of inclusions. Gym, pool, billiard room and virtual golf are just a few! For longer-term volume contracts, Arrow Location may even purchase buildings, renovate them and adapt them to its customers' needs.
The price of a temporary rental varies according to the size and quality of the units and the rental period. The longer you stay, the lower the price!
Visit permanent foreign workers
Sometimes, the need for temporary employees becomes permanent. Taking on a foreign worker on a permanent basis is a process that requires a great deal of effort and determination. That's why entrepreneurs and employers who decide to go ahead with this process shouldn't add stress to their lives by housing their new foreign employees.
The arrival of permanent foreign workers does not necessarily take place around the 1er July. The number of long-term rental properties may therefore be significantly low. Let's not forget that we are currently experiencing a housing crisis. If the employer is trying to accommodate his new employee, who probably doesn't have a car, by looking for housing close to the workplaceThe chances of finding that rare pearl are almost nil.
A two-pronged solution
The best solution then seems to be to house new residents on a temporary basis until the ideal home is available on the market. Since this wait is not determined in advance, the option of hotel room/motel is not an option, nor is that of the Airbnb.
Until permanent foreign employees can sign a long-term lease, the best solution is temporary rentals. These furnished, fully-equipped, heated, lighted and Internet-enabled units will make new residents feel right at home, right from their very first days on Quebec soil. As mentioned above, Arrow Location even offers gym, pool and other entertainment inclusions, as well as a housekeeping option. It's enough to make new arrivals feel like they're on vacation!
In conclusion, think of your employees!
Whether you're a contractor or an employer, if you've decided to call on a foreign workforce, it's because you need it. These employees make the sacrifice of their loved ones in the hope of improving their financial situation. You're not doing them a favor by hiring them, you're filling a gap in your business. Treat your foreign employees accordingly. Don't be part of the horror stories of employers who have housed their foreign workforce in miserable conditions. Mold has never been a motivating factor. Think of their well-being and house them in a temporary rental unit like those at Arrow Location. Think of it as an investment in their quality of life, loyalty and productivity!
Arrow Location
Arrow Location is Quebec's number 1 temporary rental solution. Whether following a disaster, for corporate relocation or for your temporary foreign workers, Arrow is your solution. With our turnkey service, your employees will quickly feel at home. Take a look at our selection of quality, fully furnished units and choose your temporary home!
For expert advice on temporary rentals, contact an Arrow advisor with confidence now!
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