HUNDREDS of Jamaicans from across the island, from as early as 5:30 yesterday morning, turned up at the labour ministry’s offices on East Street in downtown Kingston with high hopes of securing a space in the overseas jobs programme.

They had responded to a ministry advisory for certified and experienced pipe fitters, crane operators and iron workers to work mainly in the construction industry in the provinces of British Colombia and Alberta in Canada.

But a number of the job seekers, some sharply dressed and others in casual wear, had apparently ignored the fact that the ministry was only recruiting certified and experienced pipe fitters, crane operators and iron workers.

“Things kind a hard right now and me come fi see if me can get one of the job them,” Desmond Clarke, an electrician, told the Observer as he stood eyeing the proceedings. “Me deh yah fi about a hour now and me hear them talk over the speaker three time and me nuh here them call my thing yet.”

Another man who declined to give his name said his hopes of getting a job was faded when someone, through a speaker announced that men with corn-rowed hair would not be accepted. He went to the ministry to get a job as a mason in the programme.

However, in a twist of faith, beyond the area where persons were lining up for interviews there were women offering to pull out the corn rows.

“Who fi trim, who fi pull out hair, we ova ya suh,” a woman said in a loud voice.

But the man who said he was already aware of the convenient service being offered said he was still contemplating whether to cut his hair off.

“Me nuh wah cut off me hair and me nuh get the job,” said the man, whose hair was corn rowed back, but was unkempt.

Another man who already had his hair pulled out by the women was seen pacing the grounds as he feverishly tried to pat down his afro.

By 8:30 am the area in front of the offices where the interviews were done was packed with people, while others sat on a section of the pavement.

Luciva Williams, who said she was in her 40s, told the Observer that she decided to show up for the job programme even though the age limit was between 21 and 40. She said she hoped that the recruiters would overlook her age since she had obtained qualification from the HEART Trust/NTA to work in the hospitality sector.

“A lot of people come and gone home because they don’t have the qualifications,” she said. “I know that I can do the work,” said Williams.