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MPs could face penalties when farm workers 'run off'
Renae Dixon
Saturday, November 24, 2012
MEMBERS of Parliament could soon find themselves hit with sanctions when persons who they recommend for the overseas work programme take a leave of absence without notice or "run off" when they land in the foreign countries, particularly in the United States and Canada.
The warning came Wednesday from Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier, who said the penalty could be the allotment of fewer cards.
Emphasising that running off is a criminal offence, Kellier said such unfortunate occurrences only cause the "authorities in the United States and Canada to put us (Jamaica) under the microscope".
"Persons who are asked to make recommendations must screen the people... to ensure that they have the requisite character that will reduce the possibilities of them running off," the minister told the Jamaica Observer in an interview after a tour and meeting at the St Ann's Bay regional office of the ministry.
"We expect people to go and behave in a rational way and return when their contract period is up," he added.
While admitting that persons may still abscond when they go to work in these countries, Minister Kellier said more needs to be done to ensure persons of integrity are chosen.
Some 14, 000 workers go to the US and Canada yearly on the work programme. As it obtains now, MPs recommend persons for the programme through the issuing of allotment slips, popularly referred to as "farm work cards".
Wednesday, Ian Bell, councillor for the Beecher Town Division in St Ann, recommended that the minister consider including councillors in the group of elected representatives who can recommend persons for the employment programme.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2D8h6diQu
Renae Dixon
Saturday, November 24, 2012
MEMBERS of Parliament could soon find themselves hit with sanctions when persons who they recommend for the overseas work programme take a leave of absence without notice or "run off" when they land in the foreign countries, particularly in the United States and Canada.
The warning came Wednesday from Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier, who said the penalty could be the allotment of fewer cards.
Emphasising that running off is a criminal offence, Kellier said such unfortunate occurrences only cause the "authorities in the United States and Canada to put us (Jamaica) under the microscope".
"Persons who are asked to make recommendations must screen the people... to ensure that they have the requisite character that will reduce the possibilities of them running off," the minister told the Jamaica Observer in an interview after a tour and meeting at the St Ann's Bay regional office of the ministry.
"We expect people to go and behave in a rational way and return when their contract period is up," he added.
While admitting that persons may still abscond when they go to work in these countries, Minister Kellier said more needs to be done to ensure persons of integrity are chosen.
Some 14, 000 workers go to the US and Canada yearly on the work programme. As it obtains now, MPs recommend persons for the programme through the issuing of allotment slips, popularly referred to as "farm work cards".
Wednesday, Ian Bell, councillor for the Beecher Town Division in St Ann, recommended that the minister consider including councillors in the group of elected representatives who can recommend persons for the employment programme.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2D8h6diQu