Following a slew of reports of mistreatment and inhumane conditions in which Jamaican farmworkers have been treated, the Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. is on a farmwork fact-finding mission in Canada where he visited 6 farms that employ over 140 farmworkers.
The visit on Wednesday took the Labour Minister to the Ontario Pickle Corporation, Sunvalley Hydroponics Limited, Green View Acres Limited, DiCiocco Farms Incorporated, DiCiocco Sonny Farms Incorporated, and DiCiocco Farms East Side Incorporated.
He met with both the employers and farmworkers related to each entity. Feeback and concerns were shared with the Minister.
One farmworker highlighted what he described as a heavy workload.
Charles Jr. responded, “I would advise you to pace yourself, and if you find that the workload is too much speak up. Let me remind you that there are several channels for you to share your concerns, which are handled with the utmost confidentiality.”
He encouraged the frameworkers to use the established channels (via the Labour liaison office or officers and others) to report any forms of abuse or untenable conditions that they may experience.
Charles Jr. also explained that his ministry is redoubling their efforts in resolving any issues that threaten the longevity of the farmwork programme.
