International students welcome lifting of cap on work hours with cautious optimism

Syed Saif Sayeedi says some international students at Memorial University's Grenfell Campus have approached him to share their concerns and frustrations about paying for higher costs of living and tuition.

So when the federal government announced it will allow international students to work unlimited hours, Sayeedi says the change was met with optimism — albeit cautiously.

"I've seen nothing but distress from [new students]," said Sayeedi, who's the Grenfell Campus student union's vice-president of academics.

"I believe this [change] has brought some kind of relief to them."

The Liberal government announced last week that it's lifting the limit on the number of hours international students are allowed to work off campus each week.

WATCH | International students permitted to work more than 20 hours a week:

International students who were authorized to work off campus under the terms of their study permits were previously limited to 20 hours of paid work outside their studies for each week class was in session.

The pilot project, which will run from Nov. 15 until Dec. 31, 2023, is part of an effort to address Canada's labour shortage, said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser during last week's announcement.

Although many students are happy about the change, Sayeedi says he's concerned that taking on extra work shifts will mean some students will sacrifice their social lives and well-being.

"The general reaction from some people I know is, 'I understand this means more hours for me to work, but I don't have any more hours in me to give.'"

Third-year business student Jawad Chowdhury says the decision is a welcome change for those who struggle to afford tuition and other necessities but doesn't go far enough to address many of the challenges international students face.

For one, he said, he's disappointed the decision is a temporary move aimed to address labour shortages.

"We cannot just use international students as labour pawns whenever we need them," said Chowdhury, who is also the executive director of advocacy for Memorial University's students' union. 

"This is a right. Students should be able to work full time as they need."