The Jamaican Ministry of Labor and Social Security is stepping up its efforts to raise the proportion of visas given to Jamaicans for participation in the Seasonal Agricultural and Hospitality programs in the United States (US).
In order to address the existing visa policies, under which Jamaicans can take part in both components of the program, the United States Embassy’s officials attended a meeting on Wednesday with the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Karl Samuda, and a team under the direction of the permanent secretary, Colette Roberts Risden.
Approximately 5,000 Jamaican agricultural laborers, as reported by the ministry, go to the US every year to work in a range of agricultural tasks, including the planting and harvesting of fruit and vegetable crops.
The Ministry noted, “while placement on the agricultural (H2A) component of the program is exclusively managed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, placement on the Hospitality (H2B) component is facilitated both by the Government of Jamaica and private Employment Agencies, licensed to operate by the Ministry.”
The Ministry continued, “This component has experienced steady growth over the years, with the exception of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced drastic reductions in the hospitality industry. In 2022, approximately 12,000 Jamaicans obtained employment through the H-2B program.”
Samuda noted that many foreign farmers may credit the success of their operations to the locals of Jamaica, and the island is prepared to send additional employees to the US, highlighting the importance of the program to both the US and Jamaican economies.
“We want to ensure that Jamaica’s presence in the US benefits both Jamaica and the United States. Many Jamaicans have been able to provide opportunities for their children because of the program, and many US farmers owe their success to the contribution of the Jamaican worker,” he noted.
The team was reassured by Samuda that the government was taking decisive action to make sure that the employees who were participating are properly oriented, emphasizing that “they are our ambassadors, and so we must ensure that they know what is expected of them, what they are to expect, and how to conduct themselves”.
Additionally, he applauded the US government for its support of the initiative and said that the two countries had a “good partnership based on friendship and mutual respect”.
The deputy assistant secretary for Visa Services and leader of the US delegation, Julie Stufft, acknowledged the importance of the Overseas Employment Program and Jamaican employees while remarking that “Jamaica has a product which everyone wants”. Stufft gave the Jamaican delegation her word that her office will consult with the appropriate US government agencies to investigate suggestions for the expansions Jamaica was requesting.
