A total of 60 scholarships will be awarded to Jamaicans in 2026 under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP), more popularly referred to as the Canadian Farm Workers Programme.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives last Tuesday.

“In recognition of 60 years of the SAWP and Jamaica–Canada labour partnership, the ministry is launching the SAWP 60th Anniversary Scholarship Programme. Sixty scholarships valued at $150,000 each, will be awarded in September 2026 to children of active farmworkers pursuing tertiary education; a tribute to their parents’ dedication,” said Charles Jr.

He also announced that there will be changes to the mandatory medical examination that Jamaicans going on the programme must undergo. He noted that the medical examinations include age-specific tests.

“However, concerns have been raised about the cost and necessity of some of these tests. Since the inception of the SAWP in 1966 there has been a requirement for a medical check to be performed to ensure that the workers who go to Canada are emotionally, psychologically, and physically fit to carry out their assigned duties,” Charles Jr noted.

“In my continued effort to improve service delivery to the Canadian farm workers programme, while ensuring we maintain the integrity of the programme, there will be some adjustments,” he said.

He shared that the examination process will be overhauled and a new system put in place for persons travelling on the programme for the 2026 season.

“This will be done with the guidance of the experts from the Ministry of Health and Wellness with whom my Ministry has already initiated this process. This will coincide with the planned celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the SAWP being recognised in 2026,” the labour and social security minister said.

Charles Jr., said that despite challenges, “our farm work programme is stronger now than before and the numbers travelling have increased by 10 per cent over the same period last year”.

He disclosed that since January to the first week in May, a total of 6,451 persons have travelled for the overseas programme with over 3,800 workers being placed in Canada and the United States since the start of the financial year.

“Notably, last year a total of 14,350 workers were placed in jobs in Canada and the United States, underscoring the strong reputation of Jamaican workers and the positive impact of our reform measures,” he said.

Stating that “challenges for some create opportunities for others,” the minister said Jamaica was positioning itself to capitalise on global shifts that may very well see an increase in demand for overseas workers in North America.

“With the reassignment of Permanent Secretary Colette Roberts Risden to oversee the North America operations, Jamaica has strategically placed high level leadership to enhance our negotiations and expand our footprint to new horizons of opportunities,” said the minister.