THE decision to be separated from his spouse who is eight months’ pregnant was not an easy task for first-time farmworker Jermaine Wilson. This was further compounded by the fact that he will not be present for the birth of his first child.

Despite the apprehension, Wilson was reassured by the fact that his absence means he will be entering into a job in Canada and, therefore, will be in a better position to take care of his family back home.

Wilson is among a batch of close to 300 Jamaicans who have taken up employment opportunities in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workes Program (SAWP).

“My girlfriend should have the baby about January 23 and I am not going to be here, but it’s the best for us. So I have to go and do my best and provide for them, and see to it that they are alright and all is well,” he told JIS News during a send-off ceremony at the Labour Ministry’s Overseas Employment Services Centre, in downtown Kingston, recently.

Wilson, who is slated to return to the island when his child will be eight months old, is grateful for the opportunity that has been provided through SAWP.

He said that advancements in technology will allow him to communicate with his family members on a regular basis, and that he eagerly awaits photographs of his young child.

Most of the seasonal agricultural workers will be employed in Ontario in areas such as Leamington, Tilsonburg, Bradford, Simcoe, Milton, Strathroy and Goderich. They departed the island on January 3 and 4. The SAWP has steadily provided employment opportunities for Jamaican workers since 1966.

Describing the programme as a “blessing”, experienced worker, Howard Anderson encouraged first-time participants to use their goals and aspirations as reminders of why they are on the programme.

“For the first time, based on experience, it is a mindset. It is going to be challenging for the first time, and sometimes you feel like you want to quit, but just put your mind on the goal and what you plan to achieve. The first week is the challenge, but from you get over the first week, you good,” he said.

He noted, too, that constant contact with family members will also assist individuals to cope better.

Anderson, who has been travelling for the 10th year, noted that the initiative has assisted many Jamaican families. “I give thanks for it because it does help. It helps you achieve your goals, so I give thanks for it,” he added.

Expressing appreciation for the opportunities the initiative has afforded him thus far, Ian Underhill, who will be working in Leamington, urged participants to be honest and hard-working.

“I thank God for it because it help me to take care of my children and school my children. Because when I was growing up my parents never have it to help me in school so much, and I come now and got the opportunity to help my children. I thank God for all seven of them…they have qualification now that can help them,” he said.

Having assisted his children in acquiring their education, Underhill said he “is just doing a little now to help me and my wife, and to finish up my little home, so we can have a nice home”.

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson encouraged the workers to be good ambassadors by carrying out their duties diligently and conducting themselves appropriately at all times.

“Maintain a professional attitude… both on and off the job. Be your brother’s keeper, listen to the instructions of your employers, and try to work to the best of your ability,” she told them.

The minister also advised the workers to observe all the safety procedures and regulations that have been implemented and “if something goes awry and you are hurt, report it immediately to your employer so that it can be addressed and also to your liaison officer”.

She also encouraged them to keep sight of their goals. “When you received the call from the ministry that you should prepare yourself for travel to Canada, apart from the excitement that you felt, you must have made some plans, came up with some ideas as to what you would like to achieve, and a vision of how you and your family could benefit from this opportunity. Do not lose sight of this, for this is what will motivate you to try even harder when the going gets tough,” the minister said.

The SAWP is part of the ministry’s Overseas Employment Programme, and involves contractual agricultural workers who are recruited to meet the short-term demand for manual labour during planting and harvesting seasons.

They are employed in greenhouse crop production, vegetable farming, and fruit tree cultivation.

— JIS