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Farm Workers Urged to Make the Best of Opportunities

By: , July 28, 2014

The Key Point:

Prospective recruits have been urged to make maximum use of the opportunity afforded to them by the Government’s Overseas Farm Workers Programme.
Farm Workers Urged to Make the Best of Opportunities
Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier addressing potential farm workers at a recruitment exercise held at the Montego Bay Community College in St. James on Friday, July 25.

The Facts

  • The Labour Minister said the government remains thankful to the government and people of Canada for allowing Jamaican workers to be involved in the Farm Work Programme for more than 50 years.
  • The Minister added that Jamaica’s continued involvement in the programme is due to the fact that the workers have been performing.

The Full Story

Prospective recruits have been urged to make maximum use of the opportunity afforded to them by the Government’s Overseas Farm Workers Programme.

Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier gave the charge on Friday, July 25, as he addressed the third recruitment drive for 2014 for workers for the United States and Canadian Farm Work Programmes.

The exercise was held at the Montego Bay Community College in St. James.

“For those of you who go to Canada, you will become ambassadors for those who are left at home. If you do well, the employers will want more Jamaicans…they (employers) have to pay for us (Jamaicans) to fly from here to there. It takes a lot to employ a Jamaican overseas,” he said.

The Labour Minister said the government remains thankful to the government and people of Canada for allowing Jamaican workers to be involved in the Farm Work Programme for more than 50 years.

“The Government’s intention is to try and create the opportunities in the labour market both locally and overseas for as many Jamaicans as possible. We have worked well with them (Canada) and we want to continue to send some of our best workers there so that the employers can be satisfied and that the programme can continue to grow from strength to strength,” he stated.

The Minister added that Jamaica’s continued involvement in the programme is due to the fact that the workers have been performing. “Even with the many challenges, the Canadian employer prefers to get a Jamaican worker,” he stated.

The Government plans to recruit some 3, 500 workers for both programmes this year. Minister Kellier told the more than 4, 000 persons who turned up for the recruitment exercise that, “For those of you who may not necessarily make the pick this time around, it does not mean you are to throw your hands in the air …it means that whatever your short comings were, you are to work on it so that the next time around, you will be ready to go”.

He also encouraged those who will be a part of the programme to save, and “remember those at home, ensure that you send the remittances to keep the family structure together”.

Mr. Kellier said this recruitment exercise is the largest undertaking for the Overseas Farm Workers Programme over the past 25 years.

Last Updated: July 28, 2014

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