Labour Minister Pearnel Charles (centre) poses with the 18 women offered jobs as seafood packers in Canada, shortly before their departure on Monday.

EIGHTEEN Jamaican women left the capital, Kingston, on Monday for Canada to take up jobs as seafood packers.
"This is part of an initiative by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to include more females in the Canadian labour market," the ministry said in a press statement yesterday. The ages of the women range from 21 to 39.

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles, in briefing the workers just before their departure, advised them to recognise that they were part of a group of women breaking ground in special area of employment to Canada.

The minister gave a special greeting from the prime minister to the workers, and encouraged them to display discipline, and conduct that would enhance and develop the programme, as well as to perform in a manner that would keep the Jamaican flag flying high.

The women will be employed on an eight-month contract to Cape Bald Packers Limited in New Brunswick Canada, and will be packaging seafood for domestic purposes and export.

Charles, said the ministry statement, gave the assurance that liaison services would be in place to provide protection and support for social and cultural adjustment. He also told the women, especially those with children, to remain in touch with their families. He urged them, too, to fend off any temptations of breaking their contracts, and to use the services of the ministry to report any difficulties they may experience.

The women thanked the ministry and promised to use the opportunity to make their families and the Government of Jamaica proud.

University Players gear up for Césaire's A Tempest

Anita Baker gives the best she's got at St Lucia Jazz Fest

VP Records scoops up Mighty's Cornerstone