Canada grants visas for foreigners to enter the country at various times and for various reasons. For example, visas are granted to let female Jamaicans work as nannies, to let male Mexicans harvest crops, and to let female Russians work as exotic dancers. When these visas expire, the people have to go home. Which theory of ethnic relations best accounts for this kind of practice?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The split labor market theory suggests that employers prefer to hire workers from certain ethnic groups and grant them temporary visas because they are willing to work for lower wages and are less likely to demand better working conditions or rights. This creates a split in the labor market, with different ethnic groups occupying different positions. The examples given in the question (Jamaican nannies, Mexican crop harvesters, and Russian exotic dancers) fit this pattern.

Canada Grants Visas for Foreigners to Enter the Country at Various