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It's not great, but it could be worse! Immigrant job quality in Canada through the lens of relative deprivation theory

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  • Danielle Lamb
  • Rupa Banerjee

Abstract

We explore whether immigrants are over(under)represented in poor‐quality employment. We find that, on subjective dimensions, immigrants actually have equal and sometimes superior quality jobs relative to native‐born workers. Immigrant workers perceive higher levels of managerial support and greater ability to complete work during scheduled time. However, on more objective dimensions, immigrants' jobs are poorer than those of their Canadian‐born counterparts, specifically in terms of less access to collective agreement coverage, training, various extended benefits, as well as lower wages and higher incidence of self‐employment. We attempt to reconcile the differences in perceptions of job quality vs. objective outcomes by drawing on relative deprivation theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Danielle Lamb & Rupa Banerjee, 2025. "It's not great, but it could be worse! Immigrant job quality in Canada through the lens of relative deprivation theory," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(3), pages 299-317, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indres:v:64:y:2025:i:3:p:299-317
    DOI: 10.1111/irel.12374
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Madeline Zavodny, 2015. "Do Immigrants Work in Worse Jobs than U.S. Natives? Evidence from California," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(2), pages 276-293, April.
    2. repec:sae:mrxval:v:47:y:2013:i:1:p:39-75 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Rupa Banerjee, 2023. "Introduction to the Special Issue—Canada’s Economic Immigration Policy: Opportunities and Challenges for the Road Ahead," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 585-597, December.
    4. T. Kifle & P. Kler & S. Shankar, 2016. "Immigrant job satisfaction: the Australian experience," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 37(1), pages 99-114, April.
    5. Rupa Banerjee, 2008. "An Examination of Factors Affecting Perception of Workplace Discrimination," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 380-401, December.
    6. T. Kifle & P. Kler & S. Shankar, 2016. "Immigrant job satisfaction: the Australian experience," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 37(1), pages 99-114, April.
    7. Acemoglu, Daron, 2001. "Good Jobs versus Bad Jobs," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 19(1), pages 1-21, January.
    8. Julia Gelatt, 2013. "Looking Down or Looking Up: Status and Subjective Well-Being among Asian and Latino Immigrants in the United States," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 39-75, March.
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