An investigation has been ordered by Jamaica’s Minister of Labor, Pearnel Charles Jr into the living and working conditions of Jamaican farm workers in Ontario, Canada.
This follows complaints about the workers’ living conditions.
According to a media release from the ministry, the farm workers protested on Thursday.
The ministry said that liaison officials were instructed to visit the site and make a report on the workers’ conditions.
It also said that it is committed to ensuring that Jamaican farm workers are provided with the best working and living conditions.
“The Ministry of Labor and Social Security remains unrelenting in its efforts to safeguard the safety and health of our farm workers, and will continue to work with our partners, to ensure that the treatment of farm workers overseas is in keeping with the expected global standards,” it continued.
Last year, farm workers on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program in Canada reported that they were being made to work under poor conditions.
Due to the concerns, a seven-member fact-finding team was appointed to investigate the working conditions of the workers.
However, a report in April from the investigation revealed that the majority of workers were satisfied with the program.
