Jamaicans account for 90% of Canadian farmworkers who ‘run off’

The Jamaican government is raising concerns about the high number of Jamaican farmworkers who have been absconding or “running off” on the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme (SAWP).

Data provided by the ministry has revealed that Jamaican farmworkers accounted for 90.8 percent, or 2,597, of participants in the Canadian SAWP who have run off between 2018 and 2022.

Mexico followed Jamaica with 104 persons while 63 farmworkers who absconded during that period were from Trinidad and Tobago. Eastern Caribbean countries accounted for 66 farmworkers and five were from Barbados.

Annually, approximately 10,000 Jamaicans participate in the employment program that was established 58 years ago.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., says when Jamaicans go abroad and “run off” on these programs, “it closes the door for hundreds.”

“One disgruntled employer can be in charge of 800 spaces for Jamaican workers and if a disgruntled employer is facing the consistent challenge of persons coming up and running off… then they would look towards alternatives,” he said.

Charles Jr. noted that while the SWAP started with Jamaica and Canada only, it is now a competitive process involving other countries, such as Mexico, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We want Jamaicans to fill those positions, to have that opportunity. It is our responsibility to make sure that as we recruit, as we guide, we ensure that it resonates that you [the potential workers] are going to impact your cousin, friend, and others to come,” the Minister stressed.

“In my discussions with Canadian officials, if we want this program to continue, we are going to have to collaborate across the aisle and we are going to have to make sure that we are firm in facing the facts. It is my intention that in being transparent it will stimulate us to take the action to recruit in a more deliberate way,” he added.

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Complaints about work ethic and bad attitudes

Minister Charles Jr. also informed that most of the complaints received outside of absconding from employers surround newer workers and their attitude and work ethic.

Several employers also spoke to the situation where workers are manipulating the open work permit system, which triggers an integrity audit by the Canadian authorities, and delays the approval for them to receive foreign workers.

Charles Jr. explained that this also damages their businesses and their reputation, as they are now stigmatized and labeled as “bad employers.”

He said his ministry hs committed to partners that they will have a more robust orientation so that the workers know what they are going to confront when going on the SAWP.

“That way when you go there you won’t have that distance between your expectations and reality, which is the main problem that we have been having. This process is for us to make sure that they understand the reality,” Charles Jr. said.

He also stated that the Ministry will be working with stakeholders to create training videos that will assist the persons who are selected to become more sufficiently oriented for the particular job type they are going on in the program.

Related: “Run Off!” 10,000 Jamaicans Overstayed their US Non-Immigrant Visas in 2018