Almost 100 Jamaicans left the island on Friday for Canada as the Government responds to what it says is an increase in requests from employers in the seasonal agricultural workers programme.

The increase follows a steady decline over the last three years.

According to data the Jamaica Observer received from the labour ministry, 9,472 Jamaicans participated in the Canadian programme in 2022. This declined to 9,213 in 2023. By 2024, the number of participants had fallen to 8,255.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr, who was participating in the Friday morning send-off ceremony for the first batch of 96 workers held at the ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre in downtown Kingston, said the increase in the number of farm workers travelling on the programme is a positive sign and “a reflection of the hard work that is being put into ensuring that the programme is sustainable”.

The sustainability of the programme has been in question since 2022 when reports surfaced from workers of sub-par living conditions, which may have impacted the number of Jamaicans willing to participate. The Government, at that time, refuted the claims, with its own probe into the living conditions of the farm workers in Canada revealing that most workers were satisfied with the programme.

When more claims of unsuitable conditions on Canadian farms arose in 2023, the Government again launched a probe, with Charles Jr reporting that while matters were settled shortly after the reports surfaced, the ministry, in discussions with liaison officers and the management committee, undertook a review of the farm work programme’s processes and systems.

On Friday, Charles Jr acknowledged the team members of his ministry who, he said, worked very hard to make sure that the programme “is moving back into a more positive direction”.

He told the workers, comprising only males, that these work programmes are “risky” and, as he had outlined on previous occasions, Charles Jr noted that the overseas employment programme depends on the proper attitude, conduct, behaviour, and approach of the workers, who are the programme’s ambassadors.

“When you go up and do well… it opens up doors for many more. The more of you that do well, there are more opportunities for new farm workers that Jamaica will receive; and likewise, if we go up and we don’t do well, it closes the door for several,” he said.

Recalling a “negative” incident last year which, he said, should never have occurred between workers, Charles Jr encouraged farm workers to support each other.

“This year, 2025, we want to make it a year when we… are our brothers’ keeper. Believe me when I tell you, we are stronger together and you don’t have to like somebody… What you have to realise is you all represent this rock, and when you come off the rock and go somewhere else, you better look out for each other,” he said, while encouraging the more experienced farm workers to guide the rookies.

In the meantime, senior trade commissioner at the High Commission of Canada to Jamaica, Michael Lazaruk, noted that the Government of Canada will continue to work with Jamaica and Canadian employers to ensure that the programme “operates fairly, safely, and efficiently in order to safeguard the participants and ensure that [it] continues to deliver benefit to all involved.”

Lazaruk, who spoke on behalf of Canadian High Commissioner Mike Berman, said Canada greatly values the hard work of Jamaican workers and the important contributions they make year after year to their farms and, by extension, to their economy and their society.

“You not only sustain our agricultural industry but allow Canadian growers and producers to operate efficiently, contributing to food security, both at home and abroad. I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your interest in choosing to work in Canada and I hope that you will have an experience that you’ll be proud to share with your family and friends. I wish you all a very safe and productive stay in Canada,” he said.