172 workers leave for Canada

Labour Minister, Derrick Kellier is projecting a 10 per cent increase in the number of workers to be sent overseas this year.

He said there has been an increase in the number of requests for Jamaican workers from Canada, and that the country has positioned itself to take advantage of the growing demand, especially in healthcare, transportation and the hospitality sectors.

Kellier said last year, approximately 12,000 workers were sent to the USA and Canada to fill traditional and non-traditional vacancies.

He disclosed that last year, workers employed under the overseas farm workers programme contributed CAN$16 million to the Jamaican economy, compared to just under $9 million in 2008.

Kellier was speaking yesterday at a send-off ceremony for 172 farm workers, who will leave the island today for Canada.

The group will be the first set of workers to depart the island for 2013.

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