Farm Workers for Overseas Programme to be Pre-Selected

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will be undertaking a pre-selection exercise for both the Canadian and the United States (US) Farm Work Programmes over the three-week period from July 7-28, 2014.

This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 28.

He pointed out that in an effort to reduce cost and enhance greater efficiency, this year’s recruitment exercise will see the Ministry maintaining one pool of workers for both the United States and Canadian programmes.

“Additionally, the recruitment exercise this year will see accredited local Government Councillors joining with Members of Parliament, trade unions and various civic groups in the distribution of application forms for the programmes,” Mr. Kellier said.

He informed that the allocation of forms specifically to Members of Parliament will be determined based on whether their respective constituencies are of urban or rural origin.

The Minister said that as a policy, Members of Parliament from rural constituencies can now expect to receive a greater number of application forms vis-à-vis their urban counterparts.

In terms of criteria, prospective candidates must ensure that they are between the ages of 21-45; have farming experience; possess certified copies of their birth certificates; are literate; are of good character and in good health; possess a valid Jamaican passport (burgundy in colour) or a CARICOM passport (navy blue in colour); are free of any criminal record; have not been deported from any country; and have not have been previously disqualified from any overseas employment programme due to medical or other reasons.

In addition, all completed forms which must be submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security by June 16, 2014; should be accompanied by a passport-sized photograph of the candidate and a character reference either from a former employer, a Justice of the Peace or a security officer.

“Let me state categorically that candidates who are successful in the interviews will be fingerprinted and their prints sent to the Criminal Records Office (CRO) to determine criminal antecedents. Those found to have criminal records will be rejected from the programme,” Mr. Kellier said.