Kingston, Jamaica – In a continued show of international cooperation and opportunity, 223 Jamaican farm workers are scheduled to depart the island today for various provinces across Canada under the government’s longstanding Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP). This latest deployment includes 200 workers bound for Ontario, 12 for New Brunswick, three for Quebec, and eight for British Columbia. They will be engaged in harvesting a wide range of crops, including apples, peaches, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, cucumbers, and squash.
This group follows closely behind a cohort of 95 workers who departed on Tuesday for Toronto, signaling the Ministry of Labor and Social Security’s ongoing commitment to supplying Jamaican talent to meet Canada’s agricultural labor demands.
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Speaking at the official send-off ceremony held at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre in Kingston, Labor and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. praised the resilience and professionalism of Jamaican workers, emphasizing that their reputation has made them highly sought-after by Canadian employers.
“The continued success of the SAWP underscores the high level of trust by Canadian employers in the professionalism and productivity of Jamaican workers,” said Minister Charles Jr.
He acknowledged that while improvements have been made in working and living conditions for the farm workers abroad, challenges remain. However, he emphasized that the Jamaican Government is actively working in partnership with Canada to raise standards across the board.
“We were able to tackle some of the issues in terms of the environment where the farm workers were living and working. Not everything has been solved, but we have done a good job in improving these conditions… Get in touch with us and let us know so that we can continue to tackle the issues. You have the right to be in a suitable working environment,” he affirmed.
According to data provided by the Ministry, 5,434 workers have been placed in Canada and the United States since the start of 2025 through the Overseas Employment Program. Of that total, 3,777 workers (approximately 70%) have gone to Canada, while 1,657 have been deployed to the United States.
Minister Charles Jr. highlighted the broader impact of the SAWP, noting its value not just to workers but also to rural communities and the national economy.
“This program is of tremendous benefit for our workers, their families, and the country. It assists tremendously with the alleviation of high unemployment, particularly for persons in rural Jamaica,” he said.
The benefits of the program were echoed by veteran participants. Subrina Richards, a three-year participant in the Canadian SAWP, spoke candidly about how the opportunity has transformed her family’s life.
“I would encourage persons to apply for the program and experience what it is all about. It is not an easy task, but when you go and do your best, it will work out,” she said.
Cavel Wynter, a 19-year veteran of the program, will once again return to Ontario this season. He reflected on the life-changing gains the program has brought him.
“It has been good. I have achieved some things that I could not before—like having a piece of land, building a house, and sending my children to school,” Wynter shared.
As the SAWP continues to provide vital employment and economic support, Jamaica’s labor ministry remains focused on strengthening partnerships and advocating for the well-being of its overseas workforce.
