Gov’t expanding support for farm workers in Canada programme

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government is strengthening support for Jamaican farm workers participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP), with plans to expand access to financial services, insurance, housing and business opportunities.

According to a release, the move forms part of efforts to improve workers’ welfare as Jamaica and other Caribbean countries mark 60 years of collaboration with Canada under the programme.

The announcement was made by Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr during an awards ceremony at Moon Palace Jamaica Resorts in Ocho Rios, St Ann, to mark the start of the Annual Review Meeting of the Canada/Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Programme.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr (left) greets Senator Kavan Gayle (right), government senator and trade unionist, and Earl Jarrett (centre), Chief Executive Officer of The Jamaica National Group, during the awards ceremony to commence the Annual Review Meeting Canada/ Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme at the Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St Ann, November 8.

In his keynote address, Charles Jr highlighted the longstanding partnership between Canada and the Caribbean, describing the programme as more than an economic arrangement, but also an exchange of culture and skills.

He praised Jamaican farm workers for serving as ambassadors of the country’s culture, noting that many Canadians’ understanding of Jamaica comes through their interactions with the workers.

“Some of the children of the Canadian farmers will tell you when they go to school in Canada, they are cool because they are ‘Jamaican’, because they can speak Jamaican. They know the patois; they know the Caribbean culture from St Lucia and Trinidad. So, it is much more than just agriculture, it is the transfer and integration of our cultures and our people,” he said.

He added: “So, tonight as we celebrate the 60 years of service and sacrifice, we honour the partnerships that brought us this far and we reaffirm our shared responsibility to ensure this partnership continues to create meaningful opportunities for generations to come.”

Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Mark Berman, who delivered remarks on behalf of Canada, echoed the minister’s sentiments, noting that Jamaica remains an important partner, with more than 8,000 workers travelling to Canada in 2025, making the island the programme’s second-largest participant.

“The number of workers who travel every year tells an important story. The true success of the programme is reflected in the lives it has touched – workers who return season after season, the employers who value their contributions, and the families and communities that benefit from the opportunities,” Berman said.

Charles Jr acknowledged the economic contribution of farm workers to Canada’s agricultural sector, while noting that the programme also enables participants to provide for their families, achieve social mobility and develop confidence.

Drawing on his interactions with participants from his Clarendon South West constituency, he said many workers return home to become recognised community leaders.

However, he acknowledged the psychological toll of spending several months away from family and loved ones, noting that the ministry was expanding services to address workers’ welfare needs.

In Jamaica, support is being provided through the ministry’s Family Service Unit, which helps workers maintain communication with their families and address welfare concerns.

“We have to consider the families and how they remain connected with the workers,” he said, “and how their difficulties can be identified and addressed.”

The minister also highlighted the ministry’s partnership with The Jamaica National Group, which has been working alongside the Government over the past two years to provide financial services and social benefits to participating workers.

Through its remittance arm, JN Money, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry two years ago to facilitate access to remittance and bill payment services.

The partnership has since expanded to include scholarships for farm workers’ children, short-term loans and other initiatives aimed at easing the challenges associated with spending extended periods away from home.

Under a further expansion of the relationship, workers are expected to gain access to savings accounts, cash-secured credit cards, mortgage financing for eligible participants and small business loans.

The expanded package will also include individual and family critical insurance plans, as well as burial plans through JN Life Insurance.

Charles Jr further welcomed the involvement of the JN Foundation, which will collaborate with the ministry to develop a financial literacy programme for farm workers at the parish level.

“This is an opportunity for partnership, and I want to particularly welcome the JN Foundation, which is the foundation of the JN Group, who will advance a financial literacy programme to be developed in collaboration with the ministry at the parish level for our farm workers,” he said.

The training will be delivered face-to-face, providing practical guidance on budgeting and managing earnings from the programme.

Charles Jr said the ministry would continue pursuing partnerships with private and public sector entities, as well as multinational organisations, to broaden the range of benefits available to participants.

He closed his address by recognising more than 20 award recipients, some of whom have participated in the programme for nearly 50 years.

“Your service to the programme has helped to give this programme its character and continuity as well,” he said.

“As we move into the seventh decade, I believe that we have a very strong partnership… Strong cooperation between our countries and careful administration and a willingness to act is what will carry us forward.”