WESTERN BUREAU:

The Ministry of Labour has launched an investigation into reports that private security companies are employing illegal Haitian immigrants to work as security guards in Jamaica.

According to Alvin McIntosh, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, information received is that a number of security companies are employing the Haitians.

"This is a very serious allegation and I will be anxiously awaiting the findings. Even if they are here legally, this is not a skill that is lacking in Jamaica," Mr. McIntosh stated.

Section Three of the Foreign National and Commonwealth Citizens Employment Act of 1964 prohibits foreign nationals from seeking employment without a work permit.

Fictitious documentation

The Gleaner understands that the Haitians are using fictitious documentation to seek employment.

Since the bloody rebellion that led to the ouster of then President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004, hundreds of Haitians have fled their homeland to seek asylum in Jamaica. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas and the majority of its population is unemployed.

The Haitians have a high work rate, and it is believed that many were being used for cheap labour in Jamaica, while others are employed as mechanics, carpenters or to work on construction sites.