Chinese work permit worry deepens
Published:Tuesday | September 13, 2011 | 2:18 PM
Monique Grange, Gleaner Writer
The National Workers Union (NWU), is repeating calls for the Transport Minister Mike Henry to intervene in a work permit issue involving Chinese working the Palisadoes Shoreline Protection and Rehabilitation project.
The NWU which represents Jamaican workers on the site has questioned why permits are being granted to overseas workers when there are available locals to do the job.
The Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles has dismissed claims that unnecessary work permits were granted.
He told our news centre this morning that no work permit was given to the Chinese firm for labourers or unskilled employees to work in Jamaica.
Charles said work permits are granted only when a search is done in Jamaica and no one is found to fill the position.
He said a company is also allowed to take a number of highly skilled individuals to Jamaica to work on projects.
However, Vice President of the NWU Granville Valentine is insisting that low skilled Chinese have been given permits to work in Jamaica.
He wants Charles to conduct a thorough review of works permits granted to the 1,600 Chinese he says are now working in Jamaica.
monique.grange@gleanerjm.com