Tag: economy

Gord Bretsen Joins Joblio As A Country Manager for Canada

At Joblio, we are proud of our approach to diversity and inclusion through actionable operations supported by robust technology. Ethical recruitment of migrants, immigrants, and refugees is Joblio’s mission, brought to life by the team of seasoned professionals in 45 global markets. Canada is a strategic focus region for Joblio and today we are happy to present a new team leader who will bring a breadth of experience to this strategic host market.

We’re thrilled to announce our new Canada Country Manager, Gord Bretsen. Gord brings twenty years of integrated human resources operations experience where he has mastered agency management, staffing, and strategic planning. One of the highlights of his career is a recruitment program for Newcomers Canada, helping immigrants find access to employment, resources, and federal internship programs.

Questions for Gord Bretsen

Knowing how pivotal Gord’s role is going to be in our operations, we wanted to take a minute to introduce him to you by asking a few questions.

  1. What excites you about working with Joblio?

I’m thrilled about the service offerings Joblio provides for Canadian employers. At a time of record-high labor shortages, Joblio creates a unique opportunity for employers to fulfill their workforce needs with employees that want to work and will stay with the job longer than with other sourcing companies. While conventional staffing models may provide short-term results, Joblio’s global reach and ethical recruitment platform have proven a retention rate of better than 95% after 12 months – this is something I’m so excited to be a part of! I am a service-oriented individual and am looking forward to helping both Canadian businesses and immigrants looking for work find exactly what they need.

2) Where do you think your passion for helping migrant workers comes from?

The answer is twofold. Assisting my clients to succeed in finding top-tier skilled staff is paramount and what drives me. And, I want to put my hand out to help those in need. I’ve always been a conduit for bringing people together. I love to be a part of this vocation whether I’m working to build strong teams, referring vendors that are the perfect fit for my clients, or finding meaningful work for job seekers. I believe we are in a global village and from this perspective, there are very few challenges we can’t overcome. 

3) What will be your biggest challenge in this position? How about your biggest goal for this role?

The biggest challenge will be creating a seamless, functional ecosystem between migrant workers, refugees, domestic talent, government, and NGOs across Canada. I am very excited about this challenge and the prospect of successful relationships developed during this process.

My biggest goal for this role is for Canadian employers to think of Joblio as the ‘go-to’ solution for challenging staffing needs. Not only does this help an individual seeking employment, or a company’s bottom line, but Canada as a whole.

4) Do you have any stories from working in roles like this that really resonate with you? Can you share?

Having experience in global recruitment, I have witnessed tears of joy from selected individuals from source countries. I had employees that have found the right place for them to use their passions and provide for their families. They thanked me for changing their life. Being a part of this process means I get to know the employees I’m working with. I learn their needs, wants, background, and experience, but also what drives them and will keep them motivated. Advocating for them and finding them the perfect fit means they will be satisfied and their family will be secure – I often get tear-filled hugs and lots of smiles. It’s an amazing experience.

5) What is the best piece of advice you’d give to an employer considering hiring migrant workers?

The best piece of advice I would share with an employer is what the work ethic and expanded perspective global talent can bring to an organization. I would also show them the data Joblio has produced – with a 95% retention rate, these companies don’t have to worry about the incredible employee churn that occurs in the existing job market. 

I would also remind them that Joblio extensively works with its employees before connecting them with an employer. We help them find housing, sustainable financial needs, medical care, and education to guarantee they’re settled in their new community and want to stay in the position we find for them. It’s a win-win situation. Hiring migrant workers exemplifies Canadian values of inclusion and at the same time, permits companies to meet their financial and operational goals.

How Does Joblio Work?

Whether you’re an incoming migrant worker or an employer looking to hire migrant workers, Joblio works for both sides. For employers, we save you time and money by reducing employee churn, assisting with paperwork, and expeditiously filling up open positions.

For employees, we connect employees directly with their employers and help them find the exact job that suits their experience and needs. We fast-track visas and work permits and educate employees on the culture of their host country, laws, language, health care, and more.

Additionally, we remove fraud and corruption from the hiring process, allowing both employers and employees to see one another as trusted allies. We help employers get tax credits and fulfill obligations all while finding incredibly-suited candidates. 

Contact Joblio Today

Employers looking to fill in open jobs by employing refugees, migrants, and immigrants and bring diversity equality and inclusion programs to action are welcome to reach out to Gord Bretsen directly by emailing gbretsen@joblio.co.

Originally Posted: https://joblio.co/en/blog/gord-bretsen-joins-joblio-as-a-country-manager-for-canada/

Yoel Razvozov joins Joblio Inc.’s Board of Advisors

The former Israeli Minister of Tourism and Knesset Member brings a wealth of knowledge of immigration, finance, protection of human rights, cross-cultural integration, and cross-border relations to Joblio’s diverse panel of expert advisors.

Tel Aviv, Israel — Joblio Inc. (joblio.co), the transparent and tech-enabled ethical recruitment platform for international talent, has announced the appointment of Yoel Razvozov to the company’s Board of Advisors.

Razvozov, who was the Minister of Tourism of the State of Israel from 2021–2022 and a Member of the Knesset for 10 years until his political retirement in 2023, is an expert in matters of immigration, finance, and cross-border relations. He also is a world-recognized Judo champion, having served as captain of Israel’s national team and representing Israel in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

An immigrant himself, Razvozov’s family moved to Israel from Russia when he was 11, following the fall of the Soviet Union. His personal and career accomplishments have positioned him to make a meaningful impact on Joblio’s prestigious Board of Advisors.

A graduate of Reichman University’s Faculty of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance, Razvozov’s roles in the Knesset included Chair of the Committee for Immigration, Absorption, and the Diaspora. He sponsored laws to lower the cost of living and worked to promote the integration of immigrants into the job market as well as into the public health and education systems.

As Minister of Tourism, Razvozov spearheaded support packages for the tourism and hotel industries, and he pushed for the opening of direct flights to Israel from new destinations around the world once the country reopened its borders to tourists in 2022. He also served as a Chair of Joint Governmental Economic Committees with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia and was responsible for promoting economic relations with these countries. Razvozov also served as Chair and Director of the Israel Olympic Committee from 2008 to 2013.

“From sports to politics, I have always looked out for the underdog, working to help those who otherwise might get lost in the system,” Razvozov said. “I very much look forward to continuing that work in this next chapter of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on Joblio’s esteemed Board of Advisors.”

Added Joblio CEO Jon Purizhansky: “Yoel deeply understands the vision and mission we have at Joblio, and he has unique personal and professional experiences to benefit our work in ethical and transparent international recruitment. We look forward to what will surely be a long and fruitful relationship with Yoel.”

Joblio, a preeminent leader in international recruiting, is on a mission to redefine the global labor market with a transparent, systematized, and humanized platform that is accessible to workers and employers around the world. As global labor shortages continue to put a strain on supply chains, more employers are looking internationally to add skilled, and talented workers to their organizations. Through its proprietary Applicant Concierge Experience (ACE) program, Joblio not only helps workers find foreign employment, but it also prepares them to acclimate to their new homes before they even leave their country. For more information, visit joblio.co.

Originally Posted: https://joblio.co/en/blog/yoel-razvozov-joins-joblio-inc-s-board-of-advisors/

How Refugees Facilitate Business Growth

There has been a lot of discussion in the media about refugees in recent months. Some argue that they are a burden to society, while others claim they provide essential skills and talents that benefit the economy. What is often overlooked is the fact that refugees can facilitate business growth.

Jon Purizhansky, the founder and CEO at global recruitment platform says that refugees can be beneficial to our economy. He offers his reasoning why in this article by telling us about how they’ve helped him grow his business into what it is today with hard work but also highlighting some key benefits we’ll receive from welcoming these newcomers on board!

1. The global refugee crisis and its impact on businesses

The current global refugee crisis has led to an influx of refugees seeking asylum in developed countries. This has put a strain on social services and infrastructure, as well as creating challenges for businesses trying to operate in these countries.

However, it’s important to remember that the majority of refugees are not fleeing their homes because they want to; they’re doing so because they have no other choice. And many of them are highly skilled and educated individuals who can contribute a lot to our economy.

2. How refugees can facilitate business growth

Refugees often arrive in new countries with few belongings and little money. This can lead them to start their own businesses, as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

3. How businesses can benefit from refugees

Despite the challenges that businesses face when accommodating refugees, there are also a number of ways in which they can benefit from doing so. For example, refugees often have skills and talents that can contribute to the growth of a business. Additionally, providing assistance to refugees can help to improve a business’s image and reputation.

4 Reduce the shortage of labor at the expense of refugees

“The current global refugee crisis has led to a shortage of labor in many industries. This is especially true in the agricultural sector, where refugees make up a large portion of the workforce. In order to reduce the shortage of labor, some countries have begun to allow refugees to work in their agricultural sector. This policy has several benefits. First, it helps to address the root cause of the labor shortage by increasing the supply of workers. Second, it provides refugees with much-needed employment opportunities, which can help them to integrate into their new communities. Finally, it helps to boost the local economy by increasing the demand for goods and services. Consequently, reducing the shortage of labor at the expense of refugees is a win-win solution for all involved.” – states Jon Purizhansky.

5. The importance of welcoming refugees

As explained by Jon Purizhansky, while businesses may be hesitant to welcome refugees due to the challenges associated with doing so, it is important to remember that these individuals are human beings who deserve our compassion and assistance. By welcoming refugees into our businesses, we can help to make their lives better and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our economy.

Overall, it is clear that refugees can facilitate business growth in a number of ways. They bring with them a wealth of skills and talents, and their entrepreneurial spirit can help to boost the economy. Additionally, helping refugees to integrate into the workforce can alleviate labor shortages in many industries. Finally, welcoming refugees into our businesses helps to show compassion and humanity. In light of all these benefits, it is evident that businesses should do everything they can to welcome refugees.

Business Growth Opportunities In A Slowing Economy

An economic slowdown can affect some companies more than others. However, when the recession hits, most executives and their teams will need to find ways to overcome the challenges that arise. Contrary to popular belief, a recession does not mean that all hope for growth is lost. A slowing economic climate can create business opportunities if leaders know how to take advantage of them. Here are four ways to start a business, as suggested by Jon Purizhansky, the founder of Joblio Inc.

To grow your customer base, focus on increasing your marketing efforts

Any business owner knows that acquiring new customers is essential to the growth and success of a company. However, during tough economic times, it may be necessary to increase marketing efforts to your existing customer base. Although they may not be spending as much, people generally don’t buy products and services they don’t know about. So, by increasing your marketing efforts to current customers, you can help maintain sales and keep your business afloat during a recession. It’s important to remember that even though times are tough, people still need (and want) your product or service. By reaching out and reminding them of what you have to offer, you can stay top-of-mind and ensure continued success for your business.

“When the economy slows down, business owners and managers may start to worry about how they will maintain profits or continue to grow if consumers reduce their spending. The difficulties associated with the recession are prompting business leaders to take actions that reflect consumer behavior, such as finding ways to cut costs, postponing major projects, or freezing hiring.” – says Jon Purizhansky.

2. Review your pricing strategy

A recession can be a good time to review your company’s pricing strategy. When consumers are spending less, businesses need to find ways to make their products and services more affordable. This may involve discounts, bundling, or other types of price adjustments.

In addition to making changes to the prices of individual products and services, companies may also want to consider changing their overall pricing strategy. For example, during a recession, businesses may want to move from a premium pricing strategy to a value-based pricing strategy. This involves offering customers lower prices in exchange for loyalty or repeat business.

3. Cut costs without compromising quality

In order to maintain profits during a recession, businesses need to find ways to cut costs without compromising quality. This can be a difficult balance to strike, but it is important to remember that customers still expect high-quality products and services – even when the economy is struggling.

One way to cut costs without sacrificing quality is to streamline your operations. This may involve automating processes, outsourcing work, or reducing staff. Another option is to negotiate better deals with suppliers. If you can get the same level of quality for less money, it will free up more resources to invest in other areas of your business.

As explained by Jon Purizhansky, quality should never be skimped on, as this can lead to losing loyal customers.

4. Focus on cash flow

During a recession, businesses need to be extra careful about managing their cash flow. This means tracking expenses closely and making sure that you have enough money coming in to cover your outgoings.

“One way to improve cash flow is to offer customers more flexible payment terms. For example, you could allow them to pay in installments or offer discounts for early payment. Another option is to invoice customers as soon as the work is completed, rather than waiting until the end of the month.” – states Jon Purizhansky. 

Following these tips can help your business weather a recession and come out the other side stronger. By focusing on your existing customers, cutting costs, and managing cash flow carefully, you can keep your business afloat – even when times are tough.

How fixing US immigration law can stabilize inflation

U.S. consumers are experiencing a dramatic increase in commodity prices. Currently, U.S. inflation is at 9.1% – the highest since 1981, with the United States Department of Labor ascribing the rise to price increases for fuel, food and housing.

While the country struggles to grapple with the crippling effects of inflation on the economy, in part by blaming the Russian-Ukraine conflict for the disruptions that have no apparent end in sight, one viable solution to the problem lies in fixing the outdated U.S. immigration laws.

Jon Purizhansky: According to a leading global recruitment company, the only way forward is for countries to rely on each other’s strengths to even out their weaknesses. Developed countries are mostly filled with aged citizens who have no interest in working, whereas underdeveloped countries are struggling to keep their population, which is mostly young vibrant individuals without jobs.

The economics are quite simple: lack of labor affects production volume, which in turn reduces supply, causing scarcity that drives up prices. Although countries such as Canada and other European nations have understood that labor shortages will kill their economy and have adjusted their immigration policies to fast-track the admission of qualified migrants, the U.S. continues to operate archaic immigration laws.

The situation is so absurd that while most advanced nations simply require a signed contract with a localized employer to grant you a work visa, recent government data projects that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will reject up to 82 percent of the H-1B registrations for high-skilled foreign nationals.

In the U.S., H-1B visas represent the only practical way for high-skilled foreign nationals, including international students, to work long-term. However, the annual limit of 85,000 (65,000 plus a 20,000 exemption for advanced degree holders from U.S. universities) caused the USCIS to reject more than 70% of the over 300,000 H-1B registrations for FY 2022.

The U.S. is rejecting hundreds of thousands of high-skilled professionals every year, by operating a faulty immigration policy predicated on flawed economic reasoning. The lump of labor fallacy being championed by Congress posits that job opportunities are fixed, meaning letting more people into the labor market would deprive American citizens of jobs.

As stock prices fall and the cost of commodities continues to rise, only a thorough reform of the current immigration policy will allow the much-needed help to find its way into the U.S. Once employers are allowed to attract foreign labor with work visas like it’s done all over the world, the labor force will be invigorated, production volumes will rise, and supply will match demand, driving down prices and ultimately reversing the upward trend of inflation.

Jon Purizhansky is founder and CEO of Joblio, a global social impact technology platform that assists refugees and labor migrants based in Buffalo.

Originally Posted: https://buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice-how-fixing-us-immigration-law-can-stabilize-inflation/article_0860e820-03b5-11ed-aded-6b44c7116a9d.html

Fixing Immigration Laws can stabilise Inflation

Jon Purizhansky ( Joblio.co ) says that for months now, consumers in the US have been experiencing an uptick in the prices of groceries and other commodities across the country. In May, the US government reported that inflation had jumped to a record 8.6% — the highest it has been since 1981, with the United States Department of Labor ascribing the rise in CPI to price increases for fuel, food, and housing.

Following the government’s inflation report, stock prices fell terribly as investors speculated on the Federal Reserve’s next move, which might involve hiking interest rates more sharply than expected. Already, the US Central Bank had begun tightening monetary policy in March and is expected to announce another half-point increase in its benchmark rate next week.

While the entire country struggles to grapple with the crippling effects of inflation on the economy — blaming the Russian-Ukraine conflict for the disruptions and market upsets that have no apparent end in sight, Joblio believes that the solution to the problem lies in fixing the outdated immigration laws that currently make it difficult for qualified migrants to join the US labor force.

According to the leading global recruitment company, the world is currently in a tricky situation where the only way forward is for countries to rely on each other’s strengths to even out their weaknesses. Developed countries are mostly filled with aged citizens who spent their youth building generational wealth and have no interest in working, whereas underdeveloped countries are struggling to keep their population under control — mostly filled with young vibrant individuals without jobs.

The economics around the problem is quite simple: lack of labor affects production volume, which in turn reduces supply, causing scarcity and driving up prices. Although countries such as Canada and other European nations have understood that labor shortages will kill their economy and have adjusted their immigration policies to fast-track the admission of qualified migrants into their labor force, the US continues to operate its archaic immigration laws that have turned the country’s borders into inverted funnels.

The situation is so absurd that while most advanced nations simply require a signed contract with a localized employer to grant you a work Visa, recent government data projects that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will reject up to 82% of the H-1B registrations for high-skilled foreign nationals submitted in the most recent H-1B lottery.

Originally Posted : https://jonpurizhansky.wordpress.com/2022/07/11/fixing-immigration-laws-can-stabilise-inflation/

Disastrous Consequences Of Supply Chain & Labour Mismanagement

The global supply chain has endured years of withering abuse and strain with little reprieve. These days, the foundations of the global supply chain and global labour pool are beginning to buckle, unleashing a humanitarian and financial crisis that could easily have deadly consequences.

Mismanaging our supply chain, undervaluing the role of labourers in the modern economy, and seeking short-term fixes for long-standing problems are at the root of the issue. Here’s how a renewed appreciation for better labour standards can prevent economic catastrophe.

COVID-19, Greed, And A Dismal Labour Scene

The current supply chain and labour catastrophe is the result of numerous simultaneous developments. In addition to a devastating global pandemic that has seriously frustrated the flow of people and goods across international borders, the supply chain and labour crisis was years in the making.

The painful fact of the matter is that labour shortages have been developing across critical industries for years now, though they’re growing worse in a number of key sectors due to COVID-19 woes. An inability to recognize that ethical and transparent hiring practices are a prerequisite to preventing terrible labour famines has exacerbated our current crisis.

“Workers need fair wages, but they also need to be treated with respect and dignity,” notes Joblio CEO Jon Purizhansky. “We can’t simply bribe people into accepting reviled jobs.”

While the short-term solutions often focus on improving wages, a wise step, they often fail to improve the public perception of certain jobs. Truck drivers are desperately needed in the UK, the US, and countless other developed economies yet suffer from outdated public perceptions.

According to Bruce Busada, president of the Diesel Driving Academy, starting salaries for truck drivers have soared from ~$40,000-55,000 in the pre-pandemic era to ~$60,000-85,000 today. Nevertheless, shortages persist because workers recognize that these jobs aren’t valued compared to other opportunities they would prefer pursuing. Workers also fear for their literal health and safety, something that higher wages simply won’t be able to solve in many cases.

Fostering A Welcoming Job Market

Employers around the globe can no longer take their workers for granted. A welcoming job market must be fostered to lure in talented human capital that as recently as a few years ago was dismissed as “low-wage” or “minimum wage” work that could be done by anyone. A revolution in how we view the essential labour jobs that sustain our society is sorely needed.

Corporate hiring managers who are unfamiliar with the daily realities of physically-intense jobs must recognize that these positions will be difficult to fill going forward, even if pandemic-related chaos subsides. Employers must also come to recognize the growing structural unemployment facing many developed economies due to changing demographics and diminished natural birth rates.

The solution is staring the global community in the face, yet few are ready to take the necessary steps to bolster the future of the international economy. The global talent pool is vast, yet workers struggle to migrate from one nation to another, especially during pandemics. By making it easier to relocate human capital to wherever it’s needed in an ethical and efficient manner, we can prevent a grim future defined by structural unemployment.

“By allowing migrant labourers to effortlessly fill in local labour shortages as they arise, we create optimal economic outcomes for everyone,”  says Jon Purizhansky.

Juggling Health Concerns And Fair Employment Practices

Business leaders trying to avoid a dire financial future have two tools at their disposal. First and foremost, the health concerns of domestic workers must be assuaged by making health and hygiene a practical priority rather than a simple talking point. The critical labour famine currently upsetting global markets will never be remedied until blue collar workers are confident in their own health and safety.

According to the the Bureau of Census Household Pulse Survey, approximately 12 million people in the US cited COVID symptoms, COVID care, COVID fears, and childcare needs as the reason they weren’t working. Few of these individuals will return to work until vaccination is near-universal, public health is solidly assured, and childcare needs are met for workers.

The next tool that employers and governments can rely upon is ethical and fair hiring practices that attract migrant workers who can fill critical labour shortages. Rather than allowing our economy to crater, we can empower the millions of hardworking migrants around the world who seek employment in a developed economy.

That’s why the Joblio platform is striving to make global employment opportunities more accessible to migrant labourers. When talented individuals from around the world have an ethical, transparent, and free way to secure jobs for themselves, labour shortages may be speedily resolved. Additionally, employers and consumers don’t have to grapple with the deleterious effects of high employee turnover rates.

We don’t have to choose economic stagnation in the form of a severe labour famine. By empowering and welcoming migrant workers while instituting health and safety reforms at home, the global community can bounce back from this crisis to ensure a prosperous and sustainable 21st century.