Farmers in Jamaica have just recently set out for a new life in Canada under the SAWP (Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme).
They programme will see ninety-six farmworkers - 12 of whom are first-timers - work in Ontario and New Brunswick to support agricultural operations in Leamington, West Lorne, Thedford, Brantford, Northampton, Arkona and Delhi, in the country’s provinces. In his address at the send-off ceremony at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Overseas Employment Centre in Kingston, Portfolio Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr., advised that the LNOB (Leave No One Behind) policy was introduced during the recruitment process for farmworkers for the 2025 season.
“The mandate is that anyone who is chosen to be interviewed for this opportunity will get an opportunity if they so seek it,” the Minister said. “Thousands of potential workers came to be evaluated.
“All of them went through the new process which included assessments for numeracy, literacy and psychometric testing and they were interviewed under this policy.” Successful candidates were approved for the SAWP while those who had challenges with reading and numeracy were referred to the HEART/NSTA Trust for remedial training.
Mr. Charles Jr. said: “Our goal is to make sure that we're not sending back persons into the same situation.
“We want everyone who receives a farm work card opportunity to be able to improve in one way or the other. If it is that after the interview, we determine that the person perhaps may not be fit for farm work, but would be fit to start a business, they were diverted for employment readiness training or diverted to receive a business grant.”
He went on to say that these diversions are a positive step in ensuring that Jamaica creates a stronger pool of workers. This year marks the 59th anniversary of the Jamaica-Canada partnership, with Senior Trade Commissioner, Michael Lazaruk, who was representing the High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Mark Berman, who highlighted Jamaicans who have long been vital contributors to Canada's agricultural and domestic food security.
He said the Canadian government is committed to working with the Jamaican government and Canadian employers to ensure that the programme operates fairly, safely and efficiently. “To the almost 100 workers departing for Canada today and the thousands more that will soon follow, I would like to say Canada greatly values your hard work and the important contributions that you make year after year to our farms and, by extension to, our economy and our society,” Lazaruk said.
