VISALAW INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS TO SPEAK AT IBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Several Visalaw International lawyers will be speaking and moderating sessions at the International Bar Association (IBA) annual conference in Singapore taking place from October 14 to 19, 2007. Sergio R. Karas, co-Chair of the Immigration and Nationality Committee, will also moderate the session"Global Business Immigration Update" which will discuss many new developments on international business migration; Greg Siskind will moderate a session on enforcement policies around the world, and otter Visalaw speakers incluse Gunther Maevers ( Germany), Gary Eisenberg ( South Africa), Carolina Garutti ( Brazil) , Yoshio Shimoda (Japan). Ed Lehman ( China), Eric Bland ( USA-New York) and Henry Hatchez ( Belgium).

CANADA: CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LOBBYNG FOR MORE WORKERS

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is arguing that the current point system to select skilled workers for permanent residency is causing a labour shortage in the ranks of construction workers. While this argument may have some merit, what is lost to the CCA is that construction is a cyclical industry, and while the going is good now, what do we do with unemployable construction workers when there is a downturn? (and there may be one coming soon, all we have to do is consider the possible spillover form the subprime crisis in the US and their housing collapse). A much better idea would be to have a broader temporary worker program for the industry, so taxpayers would not be saddled with unemployed workers collecting benefits if there is a downturn or recession. The problem? The unions oppose temporary worker programs, as the foreign workers do not become permanent union members. There is now an abundance of construction workers unemployed in the US, Mexico and otter countries....why not amend NAFTA so the arcane protectionist provisions excluding construction work can be lifted and those workers may come into Canada on a temporary basis? Message to the CCA: force the unions to accept the reality of a new marketplace and lobby for a change to NAFTA! See story:

http://dcnonl.com/article/id24253

Sergio R. Karas on Conrad Black's immigration troubles

VISALAW International lawyer Sergio R. Karas (Canada) was recently interviewed on Business News Network to comment on Conrad Black's immigration problems after his fraud conviction in the US.

ABA AND SSB ATTORNEYS TO PRESENT SEMINAR ON SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IMMIGRATION

SSB's New York office lawyers Eric Bland and Protima Daryanani and SSB's affiliate attorney in Toronto Sergio Karas will present on August 2nd the program IMMIGRATION LAW 101: FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS AND ARTS LAWYER. The teleseminar is sponsored by the American Bar Association's Forum of Entertainment and Sports Industry.

MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES RESEARCH CENTER IN CANADA: START OF A TREND?

IT Canada reports that US-based Microsoft Corporation announced that it will establish a research facility in Canada, employing between 300 to 400 people from around the world. The move is, undoubtedly, a reaction to the failure of US immigration reform plans, which would have increased the H-1B visa cap significantly. It may also be a move away from cost-cutting and outsourcing that has seen jobs exported to India and other low-labour cost destinations. However, given that Canadian labour costs are considerably higher than in developing nations, and productivity in Canada is sagging, it remains to be seen if this is the beginning of a trend to be followed by otter companies. Research and development has never been a strenght in the Canadian labour market, and save and except a few notable exceptions, it is not a hallmark of the Canadian economy. But having a research facility close to the US headquarters, in a country with similar work patterns, without language or cultural barriers, and even in the same timezone can be a definite advantage. Visalaw International lawyers Greg Siskind and Sergio Karas were interviewed for IT Canada on this issue.

CANADA: SERGIO KARAS APPOINTED VICE-CHAIR OF THE ABA CANADA COMMITTEE

Canadian lawyer Sergio Karas has been appointed Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Canada Committee of the Section of International Law. The Canada Committee actively promotes awareness and education concerning Canadian legal developments at the ABA and other lawyer organizations, and includes some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in Canada in its membership.

CANADA: SERGIO KARAS ELECTED CHAIR OF THE ONTARIO BAR ASSOCIATION CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SECTION

Visalaw International is pleased to announce that Canadian lawyer Sergio Karas has been elected Chair of the Ontario Bar Association Citizneship and Immigration Section for the upcoming 2007-2008 term. The Ontario Bar Association has over 30,000 members and is the largest lawyer professional group in Canada. Sergio Karas is the first to become Chair of the Section simultaneously with his current co-Chair functions at the International Bar Association Immgration and nationality Committee.