KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government will be taking steps to preserve the integrity of the Overseas Employment Programme.

This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., who noted that he was scheduled to meet with the Permanent Secretary on Tuesday (January 6) to discuss critical matters in this regard.

“[We] will always have to protect [the Programme] from attack. Yesterday, I received a note from some anonymous person on WhatsApp sending me a TikTok of myself inviting them to call me to get on to the farmwork programme. I have received other similar notes of that nature, and I want to make it very clear… to the entire country, that we are going to take strong action to preserve the integrity of the Overseas Employment Programme,” he said.

“So, all and any who are involved in any activity outside of the scope of the law, consider this a final warning… you will find yourself behind bars. We have already reached out to the relevant authorities, and I hope the message goes out to the media that we are very serious about preserving the integrity of the programme and why we are so serious about it,” the Minister added.

He was speaking during a send-off ceremony for seasonal agricultural workers departing for Canada, held at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre on East Street in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (January 6).

Charles emphasised that the programme is of critical importance, particularly in light of the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa, which adversely affected parishes in western Jamaica.

“The opportunity for our Jamaicans to have gainful, lawful employment and to be able to support themselves and support their families is important to us. The partnership and the strength of the collaboration is important to us,” the Minister said.

A batch of 98 farm workers departed the island on Tuesday, while another 85 are scheduled to leave from Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Wednesday (January 7) for Canada. Of the 183 workers, 22 will be participating in the programme for the first time.

Meanwhile, Charles noted that this year marks 60 years of partnership between Canada and Jamaica in the implementation of the programme.

“Many farm workers will tell you that their children have gained tertiary education because of their hard work on the farm work programme. I want to encourage all who are here and who are repeating, in terms of this journey, to stay focused,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that, “sometimes when you are on track, [obstacles may arise] to distract you… these can come in many different ways and [forms]”.

“It could be a fellow farm worker, it could be a supervisor, it could be just somebody in the community. Stay focused. This opportunity is yours to make or to break. For those of you who have the experience and have been here for some time now, you have a responsibility to make sure that the younger ones are guided,” Charles added.

Since January 1, 2025, a total of 15,156 workers have benefited from employment opportunities in Canada and the United States, representing an increase of 687, compared to 2024.

Charles said that of the total number, 59 per cent participated in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme, three per cent in the Low-Skilled Programme, and 38 per cent in the United States Programme.

“These figures represent much more than just mere statistics. These figures represent livelihoods, children that have been supported, and communities that have been strengthened,” he stated.

– JIS