Dear Editor,
The national farm work programme is usually managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Based on my experience, over the years the application forms (Farm Work Cards) for those interested in working overseas are made available through varied channels by March each year. However, in 2015 the application forms were not distributed until late June.
It is a great concern of mine that since the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) formed the Government in February little or no interest has been placed on this programme. Former Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier took great interest in the programme and ensured that he had applications each year to give thousands of Jamaicans the opportunity for overseas employment; however, since the appointment of Shahine Robinson as minister ‘wi no hear gun fire bout ih’.
In light of the aforementioned, I must ask a few questions. Firstly, has this JLP Administration totally abandoned the programme? Is the programme being carried on in secret, in essence only giving the assistance to core supporters? Have the farms overseas stopped employing Jamaican labourers? Or, is it that because local government elections are pending, the plan is to distribute the form during the election period as ploy to win votes?
I am calling on Shahine Robinson, minister of labour and social security, to give an explanation as to the status of the programme and the efforts this Administration is undertaking to ensure that as many Jamaicans as possible get an opportunity to work overseas.
Gary Rowe
magnett0072004@yahoo.com
The national farm work programme is usually managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Based on my experience, over the years the application forms (Farm Work Cards) for those interested in working overseas are made available through varied channels by March each year. However, in 2015 the application forms were not distributed until late June.
It is a great concern of mine that since the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) formed the Government in February little or no interest has been placed on this programme. Former Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier took great interest in the programme and ensured that he had applications each year to give thousands of Jamaicans the opportunity for overseas employment; however, since the appointment of Shahine Robinson as minister ‘wi no hear gun fire bout ih’.
In light of the aforementioned, I must ask a few questions. Firstly, has this JLP Administration totally abandoned the programme? Is the programme being carried on in secret, in essence only giving the assistance to core supporters? Have the farms overseas stopped employing Jamaican labourers? Or, is it that because local government elections are pending, the plan is to distribute the form during the election period as ploy to win votes?
I am calling on Shahine Robinson, minister of labour and social security, to give an explanation as to the status of the programme and the efforts this Administration is undertaking to ensure that as many Jamaicans as possible get an opportunity to work overseas.
Gary Rowe
magnett0072004@yahoo.com