Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, says concerns are being raised regarding the increasing number of Jamaican workers absconding on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) in Canada.

“I am calling on Members of Parliament (MPs) to make sure that you have this conversation with your constituents. When we have our Jamaican workers go on the programme and run off… it closes the door for hundreds,” Charles Jr said.

“One disgruntled employer can be in charge of 800 spaces for Jamaican workers and if a disgruntled employer is facing the consistent challenge of persons coming up and running off… then they would look towards alternatives,” he added.

The Minister was addressing a sensitisation session for MPs to address concerns related to the suitability of candidates on the SAWP, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre on January 9.

In 2018, some 380 Jamaicans ran off, while there was a decline in 2019, with 343 persons absconding.

The session was held because of the critical role played by MPs in the pre-selection process for the Farm Work Programme.

Charles noted that while the SWAP started with Jamaica and Canada only, it is now a competitive process involving other countries, such as Mexico, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We want Jamaicans to fill those positions, to have that opportunity. It is our responsibility to make sure that as we recruit, as we guide, we ensure that it resonates that you [the potential workers] are going to impact your cousin, friend and others to come,” the Minister stressed.

“In my discussions with Canadian officials, if we want this programme to continue, we are going to have to collaborate across the aisle and we are going to have to make sure that we are firm in facing the facts. It is my intention that in being transparent it will stimulate us to take the action to recruit in a more deliberate way,” he added.

Minister Charles also informed that most of the complaints received outside of absconding from employers surround newer workers and their attitude and work ethic.

He pointed out that this was something the Ministry committed to partners that the Ministry will have a more robust orientation so that the workers know what they are going to confront when going on the SAWP.

“That way when you go there you won’t have that distance between your expectations and reality, which is the main problem that we have been having. This process is for us to make sure that they understand the reality,” Charles said.

He also stated that the Ministry will be working with stakeholders to create training videos that will assist the persons who are selected to become more sufficiently oriented for the particular job type they are going on in the programme.

Several employers also spoke to the situation where workers are manipulating the open work permit system, which triggers an integrity audit by the Canadian authorities, and delays the approval for them to receive foreign workers.

Charles explained that this also damages their businesses and their reputation, as they are now stigmatised and labelled as “bad employers”.

Meanwhile, the Minister said for 2024, the Ministry will be putting in place several measures to enhance the SAWP.

“All persons that you recruit, that come to us, even those that are not selected to go into our programme will be able to have some options/opportunities. We are discussing, for instance, those persons who, because of inadequacy in terms of reading, did not get on the programme, go in on a literacy programme. Next year, you don’t have to go through the whole process again, you are in the pool,” Minister Charles Jr. said.

Communication is also being improved with workers with the use of non-traditional communication tools, such as WhatsApp, virtual meetings, and email.