Charles Jr fulfils commitment to Inclusive Farmwork programme
Public Relations Unit
1F North Street, Kingston
Tel: (876) 967-5484
Fax: (876) 948-2831
From L-R: Newest farmworkers being deployed to Canada, Hon Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Mrs Miller Stennett, Senior Director Manpower Services, Mr. Delroy Palmer, Director Overseas Employment Programme.
Charles Jr fulfils commitment to Inclusive Farmwork programme
Kingston, Jamaica, August 21, 2024
Following his 2023, Ministerial visit to Canda to meet with primary stakeholders in the farmwork programme, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr is making good on his commitment.
While visiting farms in Nova Scotia in 2023, he discussed with employers there the possibility of diversifying the programme to include roles for employment for persons with disabilities.
Less than a year later the Minister has made good on his promise and this morning, two male farmworkers who were selected for this purpose were sent off. This is in keeping with the No One Left Behind Programme which was recently instituted by Minister Charles Jr.
Minister Charles Jr joined his team on location at the Ministry’s East Street Office yesterday, to give a charge to the newest batch of farmworkers being assessed with the new and improved systems now in place and to give a warm send off to the two newest farmworkers.
Charles Jr said, “The farmwork programme opens a door for opportunities for generations to come. As ambassadors to Jamaica, it is important to maintain the integrity of the programme and to garner additional opportunities for growth. Your actions while on this programme can make or break future opportunities for your fellow Jamaicans, so I implore you to be your brother’s keeper so you can open the door for further employment for other Jamaicans. I am now in talks which I hope will result in a programme where we can establish farms for you once you return as you would have knowledge that our farmers here don’t and sharing your new skillsets with them would be beneficial. Remember that you are ambassadors for your country on this programme and its future depends on you.”
The Jamaican Liaison Service continues to look for additional opportunities to expand the reach of the No One Left Behind Programme encouraging employers to engage these persons and support this initiative.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security continues its ongoing efforts to grow the Overseas Employment Programme, by strengthening stakeholder relationships, continuously improving the offerings delivered by the liaison service and securing additional protection to and opportunities for our farm workers.
-30-
Contact: MLSS Communication Unit (876) 967-5484
1F North Street| Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jm
Like and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlssjamaica/?ref=bookmarks; Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamaicaMlss and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlssjamaica Visit our website: www.mlss.gov.jm for more