Charles Jr meets with Canadian farmwork stakeholders
Published:Tuesday | October 24, 2023 | 7:02 PM
Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles Jr. has met with several employers and scores of Jamaicans as a delegation undertakes a fact-finding mission on the Canadian farmwork programme.
In a statement, the Ministry says Charles Jr. has so far visited the Komenski, Schuyler, and Nightingale farms and interacted with a total of 362 workers.
Yesterday, his first visit was with the workers at Komenski Farm who are preparing to return to Jamaica as it is the end of their season.
He then moved to the Schuyler Farm, where 239 Jamaicans are employed.
It was noted that farm workers at this location have a recreation centre with several amenities including a library, gym, piano, and pool table.
They are also provided with a designated area where they have access to donated new clothing, which is made available to the workers free of cost.
Additionally, farm workers on the Schuyler Farm are served a catered lunch on most days, while some workers have laundry services including washing and folding provided by the employer free of cost, the Ministry noted.
This employer, according to the labour ministry, has plans to increase production and has given his commitment to employ more Jamaicans for the 2024 season.
Charles Jr. ended his first day with a visit to the Nightingale Farm where some 75 workers are employed.
“Let me take this opportunity to commend you for your hard work and dedication. You are critical to this programme and serve as important ambassadors for Jamaica. I give you my commitment to do everything in my power to continue to advocate for your fair treatment and welfare and to address your concerns in a timely manner,” he said.
Yesterday, Charles Jr. also conducted meetings with 21 employers and employer representatives, who employ a combined total of approximately 930 Jamaican workers in the Simcoe and Tillsonburg areas.
In meeting with the employers, the Minister had an open discussion with them in which they shared their concerns about the programme, including workers going absent without leave (AWOL) which leads to the high cost of retraining and the poor attitude and work ethics of some of the farm workers.
The Minister reassured the employers that their concerns would be addressed.
“This fact-finding trip has allowed me a firsthand look at the programme and based on my observations I will be implementing improved measures to address areas of concern to ensure that both the employers' and employees' concerns are addressed.”
Charles Jr. and his delegation will return to Jamaica later this week.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.