Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Scores of persons gathered at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Overseas Employment Centre at East Street, Central Kingston yesterday, hoping to be chosen to participate in the Canadian Farm Work Programme. - Andrew Smith / Photography Editor
SCORES OF persons from across the island showed up at the Ministry of Labour's Overseas Employment Centre in Kingston yesterday, hoping to be selected to participate in the Canadian Farm Work Programme.
They came from all over. From St. Catherine to West-moreland, it seemed every parish was represented. Spiralling queues filled the compound for the entire day, as prospective recruits waited patiently for their names to be called. Despite the large crowd and interminable wait, there was little display of animosity, as similar dreams seemed to create equanimity among the scores of applicants.
Hopeton Taylor, a tractor driver from St. Catherine, stood calmly in the heat of the midday sun, beads of sweat trickling slowly down his forehead.
"Mi deh here from seven o'clock this morning. Every-body will get through still, so mi just a wait 'til my time come," he said.
NO NOVICE
Taylor is no novice, having been selected in 2001 to travel to Canada for a stint of tobacco reaping.
"The time did work out over there. Mi was able to make about $450 (Canadian) per week and save a little here and there. That's why mi trying to go back, 'cause things kinda tough out here," he said. Taylor noted that he is permanently employed in Jamaica, but decided to seize the opportunity to make some extra money.
"Every likkle help you know, so when mi hear 'bout this, mi say mi haffi come back and try again," he said.
Everton Palmer, from Claren-don, said he heard about the programme from a friend, and decided to give it a try. "Mi nuh too sure 'bout di process, but you affi try a ting fi survive some time," he said.
Food vendors reaped the spoils of the day's events. Dozens of them were seen making seemingly non-stop sales.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security announced in January that it would be recruiting 1,000 workers for Canada this year, which would bring the total number of Jamaican recruits to that country to 7000.
