Working overseas has long been a goal for many Filipinos, as it presents the opportunity to secure better job opportunities and higher earnings. One country that has consistently been a popular destination for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is Canada. The demand for skilled laborers in Canada remains high, and among those in demand are welders.
In this article, we will focus on the earning potential of an OFW welder in Canada. We will examine the experience of a vlogger who shared his earnings in a recent video, as well as discuss other factors that can affect the earnings of an OFW welder in Canada. By doing so, we hope to provide valuable insights to aspiring OFWs who are considering working as welders in Canada.
Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on the personal experiences shared by the OFW in the video below. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the OFW by commenting on their video on their accounts.
OFW Welder Earnings in Canada: A Closer Look
The information in this article comes from a YouTube video from the channel of an OFW working in Canada. The channel’s name is Azid myk. In this video, the OFW welder details the salary that he obtained in one week, including the regular, overtime, and other special pays as well as the deductions. If you want to watch the full video, then click on the link below:
Earnings Breakdown
The earnings of a welder in Canada can vary significantly based on a number of factors such as experience, location, and the industry they work in. However, despite these variables, many OFWs in Canada’s welding industry can earn high salaries compared to their counterparts in other countries.
In this section, we will explore the earnings of an OFW welder in Canada based on the experience of the vlogger. We will examine the breakdown of his earnings, including regular pay, overtime, and other benefits, as well as the deductions taken from his paycheck. This will provide valuable insight into the earning potential and financial realities of working as a welder in Canada as an OFW.
As a summary, here are the points discussed by the vlogger in the video regarding his earnings as a welder in Canada:
- The vlogger worked seven days a week and earned 2097 CAD for 43.5 regular hours in a given week.
- The vlogger worked 32 hours of overtime at a rate of 1.5x greater than the regular rate, earning 2258 CAD.
- The vlogger worked 18 hours worth of double time, earning CAD 1672, which is double the hourly rate.
- The vlogger also received an overtime meals allowance of 175 CAD, vacation pay of 361 CAD, and a holiday pay allowance of CAD 241 for working on a holiday.
- The total taxable gross earnings for the week were 6806 CAD.
- When converted to Philippine pesos using the exchange rate of 1 CAD to 38.60 PHP, the welder earned 262,711 pesos in just one week.
- Working as an OFW welder in Canada can be a lucrative opportunity for skilled laborers.
- Earnings can vary based on factors such as company, location, experience, and skill level.
The vlogger shared that he worked seven days a week, with 43.5 regular hours for a given week. For those regular hours, he earned a total of 2097 CAD, or Canadian dollars. Additionally, he worked 32 hours of overtime, with a rate of 1.5x greater than the regular rate, which earned him 2258 CAD.
The vlogger also worked 18 hours worth of double time, which is when you work during Sundays or holidays. For that month, he earned CAD 1672, which is double the hourly rate. Furthermore, he received an overtime meals allowance of 175 CAD, vacation pay of 361 CAD, and a holiday pay allowance of CAD 241 for working on a holiday.
When we sum up all of these earnings, the total taxable gross is 6806 CAD for the week. This is before any deductions, so it’s important to keep in mind that this figure is subject to change.
What does this Mean in Philippine Pesos?
The vlogger noted that he worked a total of 93 hours in the week, which means that the total earnings come to 6806 CAD for 93 hours of work. If we convert this amount to Philippine pesos, using the exchange rate of 1 CAD equals 38.60 PHP, the welder earned a staggering 262,711 pesos in just one week!
Working as an OFW welder in Canada can be a lucrative opportunity, with high demand for skilled laborers and competitive salaries. While the vlogger’s earnings may not be representative of all welders in Canada, it does give us a glimpse into the potential earnings of a skilled OFW worker in this field. It’s important to keep in mind that earnings can vary based on many factors, including the company, the location, and the worker’s experience and skill level. Nonetheless, this breakdown of earnings offers a helpful guide for those considering working in Canada as a welder or in another skilled trade.
Deductions
Now let’s delve into the deductions that are imposed on the earnings of an OFW welder in Canada. In Canada, there are various deductions, such as federal or provincial taxes, pensions, and more. These deductions can significantly affect an OFW’s net pay.
Here is a summary of the vlogger’s deductions for a week’s worth of work:
- Federal income tax: 2,525 CAD or 97,355.00 PHP
- Canadian Pension Plan: 367 CAD or 14,157.20 PHP
- Employee Insurance (EI): 107 CAD or 4,128.20 PHP (with an additional bi-weekly benefit of 1,100 CAD or 42,460.00 PHP)
- Union Dues: 226 CAD or 8,727.60 PHP
- The total deductions amount to 3,227 CAD or 124,368.00 PHP.
First, there’s the federal income tax, which amounts to 2,525 CAD. Then, there’s the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), which takes 367 CAD. The Employee Insurance (EI) also takes 107 CAD, which can be beneficial when an OFW loses their job. They can apply to receive benefits every bi-weekly. In fact, the vlogger mentioned that he was able to receive EI benefits himself, amounting to 1,100 CAD every bi-weekly.
Moreover, since the vlogger is under a union, he had to pay union dues of 226 CAD. The union can send its members to different companies to work, depending on their bid.
All these deductions amount to around 3,227 CAD. Converting this to Philippine pesos, the deductions are equivalent to 124,562 pesos for that week. So, if we compute the net pay from the gross, including the deductions, the net pay amounts to 3,579 CAD. When converted to peso, this is equivalent to 138,149 pesos, which is still a considerable amount for just one week.
It’s worth noting that the vlogger mentioned that this was his highest pay during his time with the company. This means that if an OFW works hard, they can earn as much as 400,000 pesos. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this requires working 12 to 13 hours every day, which can be exhausting and detrimental to one’s health.
While working as an OFW welder in Canada can be lucrative, the deductions imposed on one’s earnings can significantly affect their net pay. It’s important to consider these deductions when deciding to work abroad and to ensure that the compensation is still reasonable and fair after all the deductions are taken into account.
Ten Facts About Working as a Welder in Canada as an OFW
Here are 10 facts about working as a welder in Canada as an OFW.
- High demand for welders – Welders are in demand in Canada and are considered a highly skilled trade.
- Certification required – Most welding jobs in Canada require certification, which can be obtained through technical schools or apprenticeships.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Many OFWs work as welders in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which allows them to work in Canada for a limited time.
- High wages – Welders in Canada typically earn higher wages than in other countries, with an average hourly rate of CAD 25-30 per hour.
- Long hours – Welders in Canada often work long hours, including overtime and weekend shifts.
- Entitled to extra pay – In addition to their regular pay, welders in Canada are often entitled to overtime pay, vacation pay, and holiday pay.
- Cost of living – The cost of living in Canada can be high, and some OFWs struggle to make ends meet while working as welders.
- Deductions from paycheck – Deductions such as federal income tax, Canadian Pension Plan, employee insurance, and union dues are taken from a welder’s paycheck in Canada.
- Lucrative opportunity – Despite the challenges, working as a welder in Canada can be a lucrative opportunity for OFWs who are willing to work hard and have the necessary skills.
- Room for advancement – Some welders in Canada choose to pursue further education or certification to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.
Applying to be a Welder in Canada
If you’re an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) with welding skills and you want to work in Canada, there are certain steps you need to take in order to make it happen. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Research – Do your own research about the welding industry in Canada, job vacancies, and the qualifications required for the job.
- Educational credentials – Prepare your educational credentials and certificates to be assessed by a designated organization in Canada. You may also need to take additional courses to meet the Canadian standards.
- Work experience – Gain work experience in welding and related fields. You can also take apprenticeship programs to gain practical experience.
- Language proficiency – Canada requires all applicants to have sufficient language proficiency, especially in English, to be able to communicate effectively in the workplace and in the community.
- Skills assessment – Once you have your educational credentials and work experience, you will need to get a skills assessment to determine if your skills meet the Canadian standards. This can be done through a designated organization in Canada.
- Job offer – You will need to have a job offer from a Canadian employer before you can apply for a work permit. The job offer should include details such as job duties, salary, and work location.
- Work permit – Apply for a work permit once you have a job offer. You will need to provide supporting documents such as a skills assessment, educational credentials, and work experience. Your employer may also need to provide supporting documents.
- Temporary foreign worker program – The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labour and skill shortages. You may need to apply through this program to work in Canada as a welder.
- Immigration process – If you plan to stay in Canada permanently, you will need to go through the immigration process. There are several immigration programs available, such as the Express Entry program and the Provincial Nominee Program.
- Settlement – Once you arrive in Canada, you will need to settle in and adjust to your new life. This includes finding a place to live, opening a bank account, getting a driver’s license, and finding schools for your children if you have any.
Working as a welder in Canada as an OFW may seem daunting, but if you follow these steps and persevere, you can achieve your dream of working abroad and providing a better life for yourself and your loved ones.
In conclusion, working as a welder in Canada as an OFW can be a lucrative opportunity for those who are willing to work hard and have the necessary skills. While it may come with its challenges such as long hours and high cost of living, the potential for high earnings and opportunities for career advancement make it an attractive option.
It is important to remember, however, that proper certification and compliance with immigration laws are necessary to work legally in Canada. With the right preparation and mindset, an OFW welder can succeed and achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.