Chinese Garage Can Reopen Once It Meets All Requisite Criteria

The recently shuttered Whole Hearted Company Services Limited auto repair shop, in Ferry Pen at the St. Andrew and St. Catherine border, will be allowed to resume its operations once it has met all the legal requirements.

That assurance was given by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., as he responded to questions on the status of the facility at a post-sectoral press briefing at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston, on Wednesday (May 14).

The auto repair shop became the subject of a multi-stakeholder investigation last month, after dozens of Jamaicans flocked the newly opened facility in search of affordable vehicle repairs.

The Minister explained that the Ministry’s Work Permit and Occupational Safety and Health units visited the facility to confirm whether there were irregularities or breaches.

It was discovered that there was a valid incorporation and registration of a company at the location; however, other potential breaches were identified.

“They observed, they interviewed, they investigated. They attended multiple times. And we were able to confirm that there were issues in relation to the work permit status, or lack thereof, for some individuals who, in our estimation, were part of the work team at that facility,” the Minister said.

“We can also confirm, and we have confirmed, that there were some individuals who did have active, valid work permits. However, as to whether those work permits aligned to the activity that was being carried out at that facility is another issue,” Mr. Charles Jr. added.

He noted that the management team at the facility was advised that the activities being carried out required the requisite approvals and that their absence constituted a breach of the law, which could carry sanctions.

The Minister said activities were subsequently ceased and the facility closed.

He stressed, however, that the Government is aware that there is a gap in the auto repair sector and is not opposed to foreign nationals filling this gap, once they are in compliance with the country’s laws.

“We have made it very clear, particularly where we see hundreds of Jamaicans flocking to the service, that we are not blind or deaf to the fact that clearly there is a gap, again, in terms of what is being provided to the country,” the Minister said.

“And so, we have no difficulty in entertaining the regularisation of these individuals, so that they can continue their operation, once they have complied with all legal requirements, addressed whatever sanctions, if any, that come arising from our passage of the information we received to the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force)… and once they’re in full adherence with the laws and regulations of Jamaica,” he added.

He reiterated that the Ministry’s role is not to monitor commercial activities but to ensure that labour laws are adhered to.

“We are focused on, in this case, any and all foreign nationals who come into our country to work. That’s our responsibility under the law. And they are a part of our responsibility,” the Minister said.

“So, as we have said, we are doing our investigations, not just to protect Jamaica or Jamaican mechanics or Jamaican consumers but also we have a very, very significant responsibility to any foreign worker that enters this country to ensure that they are not involved or engaged in any servitude or anything of any nature that is illegal,” Mr. Charles Jr. maintained.

He said there is no confirmation whether a second garage, which was being operated at Plantation Cove in St. Ann, is linked to Whole Hearted Company Services Limited.

That facility was also shuttered by its operators in April.

“People have automatically assumed that the garages are linked. And I don’t know that the information given to me confirms that,” Mr. Charles said.