Labour Minister Calls on Overseas Hospitality Workers to be Positive

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has encouraged participants in the United States Hospitality Employment Programme to go overseas with a positive attitude, thereby ensuring they are consistently showcasing the best of Jamaica.

“You all represent brand Jamaica and therefore you have the responsibility to ensure that once you are taken into the programme, that you will serve to the best of your ability,” the Minister said.

He was addressing hundreds of applicants, most of whom were trained as hospitality workers, during the third day  of a joint US Employers/Ministry of Labour and Social Security one week recruitment programme  at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, in Montego Bay, on January 13.

“Let me take the opportunity to welcome those who will be doing interviews with the expectation to join one of the most important programmes of the Government of Jamaica.  I have met with the employers to express our appreciation for taking on workers from Jamaica for many years.  You represent the only workers from the Caribbean,” Dr. Ferguson said.

The Minister said the applicants have had the benefit of training and the experience of working, which is a positive going forward.

“You need to approach the interviews with confidence that you are a good product and with such confidence and a positive attitude, once you are chosen, you will showcase the best of Jamaica. I know that this programme has brought in significant remittances to Jamaica and is undoubtedly a crucial part of the growth agenda of the country,” Dr. Ferguson noted.

He said that equally, the employers in the United States view the programme as an important part of their country’s own growth strategy.

“They have said that the Jamaican workers came, and by way of good attitude and work ethic, worked long and hard and kept their businesses alive and well.  Therefore, I beg of you, go forth and represent your country,” the Minister urged.

He indicated that it was the Government’s objective to grow the programme significantly with present indicators reflecting positive movements in the right direction.

“Our numbers are now moving back in the right direction, as in 2007 we had 5,177 persons on the programme.  Last year we had 1,927 workers on the programme, almost 56 per cent more than the year before when we had 1,232 workers,” the Minister said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Colette Roberts Risden, informed that there are six employers engaged in the recruitment of new workers for this year under the hospitality programme, which will see approximately 261 persons selected from western Jamaica.

“In the recruitment process this week, it is expected that categories of workers will include cooks, bartenders, receptionists, spa attendants, house men, among others. We are hoping that in the 2016 season, we will see an increase in numbers. If our predictions are right, then we are looking at close to 3,000 at the end of 2016,” the Permanent Secretary told JIS News.