OCASI mini-survey on ISAP salaries
December 06, 2005
Notice: The information contained in this article was current as of December 6, 2005
OCASI recently surveyed members across Ontario to learn about the range of salaries paid to settlement workers employed in the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP). This activity was undertaken in response to requests from the membership to develop a common response to changes in the ISAP application form.
The survey comprised a sampling of organizations that were broadly representative of Ontario regions and organization size. It was intended to provide organizations with an overview of current sector salary scales for settlement workers funded by ISAP, as well as a comparison with salary scales for similar work in the human services sector.
The survey and analysis were limited in scope, so that the information could be disseminated to the OCASI membership in advance of the ISAP application deadline in December. OCASI plans to expand the scope of this survey over the next year to include other settlement job types, funding streams, and other settlement and related work routinely undertaken by sector organizations.
Mini-survey findings and analysis are as follows:
1. The 2005-2006 application asks for (at least) two budgets. The first budget asks for the maximum 2% increase to the current ISAP agreement. At present, the ISAP wage grid offers a maximum allotment of $19.61. With a 2% increase (for an additional $.39), the total wage will be approximately $20.00 per hour.
OCASI assumes that most service providers currently receive the maximum allotment of $19.61 – and therefore recommends that all service agencies seek the new maximum of $20.00 per hour for front-line ISAP workers.
2. The second budget asks for any costs increases to program activities, including (but not limited to) increases to hours, rates of pay, and capital costs.
OCASI recommends that all service agencies ask for an increased amount per hour, based on the ISAP formula of 35 hours per week.
An analysis of the local labour market wages for Community and Social Service Workers (NOC 4212) for Ontario shows that the average high-wage for this NOC category is $21.36 / hour, with a low of $16.95 / hour to a high of $25.29 / hour. The GTA average high-wage is $23.35 hour.
It should be noted that much of the data from the labour market analysis is from the years 2003 and 2004. The addition of an annual increase of 3% for 2005 would bring the average wage for NOC 4212 to approximately $22.00 hour.
OCASI recommends that the minimum wage for ISAP front-line workers should be $22.00, representing an annual income of $40,040 (based on a 35 hour / week schedule, over a 52 week period). This would keep ISAP wages consistent with the averages received by workers in the Community and Social Service Worker category.
The following pay grid is proposed, with annual increases of 5 % for each year up to five (5) years of experience.
First year: $20.00 per hour
Second year: $21.00 per hour
Third year: $22.05 per hour
Fourth year: $23.15 per hour
Fifth year: $24.30 per hour
3. There has been much in-house discussion regarding the use of NOC code 4212 (Community and Social Service Workers) and NOC code 4152 (Social Workers). For the most part, the job descriptions are similar. However, the real difference is in wage earning potential, with Social Workers receiving (on average) a much higher wage. NOC 4212 was used for this analysis because it is the most similar, or reflective, of the work done in the Immigrant and Refugee Serving Sector (IRSS). Unfortunately, there is not an exact fit with NOC codes, so the following is the result of a best-fit approach.
4. In terms of justifying the wage increase, OCASI suggests the following:
- Wage increases reflect current wages received in NOC 4212 category, which best describes the work performed in the sector;
- Settlement work requires persons with a very specific skill set, including specific training in case management and counseling and a detailed knowledge of related immigration policy and legislation. Moreover, the positions may require advanced language skills in languages other than English or French. Essentially, the sector seeks individuals with highly advanced, and often atypical, skills. Providing a more competitive wage will assist agencies in attracting and retaining highly-qualified individuals.
For information about ISAP, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca
For more information about the OCASI salary survey, please contact Matthew Lauder, Policy Analyst - mlauder@ocasi.org