Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles (right) yesterday gives a charge to workers being deployed to British Columbia on the overseas employment programme. The occasion was a press conference at the ministry's central Kingston office. Giving a listening ear are Alvin McIntosh, Permanent Secretary, and Donna Adams, director of manpower services. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Newly appointed Labour Minister Pearnel Charles yesterday warned the first batch of construction workers scheduled to depart for Canada this morning not to breach their contract by running off.

"I am talking to you like a father and grandfather ... Don't let me down," pleaded Charles at a press conference held at the ministry's office on North Street in central Kingston.

The 11 workers, who were granted a two-year overseas employment contract in western Canada, will be assisting with the construction of a bridge in British Columbia.

Don't want indiscipline

This is the first time that the Labour Ministry has deployed construction workers on the overseas programme to that part of Canada.

"We cannot afford to let this programme fail. You are the beginning of a programme that Jamaica wants," Charles said.

In admonishing the workers, the newly sworn-in minister said he has instructed his staff to return to Jamaica any worker who breaks the rules.

"We don't want this programme to be tarnished by indiscipline," Charles said, noting that each participant would be given his personal cellular phone number so they could call him if they encountered difficulties in the foreign land.

In June, a team from Okanagan College and the Economic Development Commission in British Columbia came to Jamaica on the invitation of the ministry to recruit workers for the construction industry.

The ministry, in collaboration with the national training agency, HEART, identified suitable candidates who were trained and certified by the agency.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alvin McIntosh, said that there will be more employment opportunities for Jamaican workers in the provincesof British Columbia and Alberta, as well as Vancouver.

Job fair ahead

More than 10 new employers from Canada have already been selected to visit Jamaica to conduct a job fair on October 19 and 20.

According to McIntosh, the prospective employers will need more than 400 workers in the categories of pipe fitters, welders, industrial electricians, iron workers, and general construction workers.

The Permanent Secretary also said that there are another 150 vacancies for hotel workers, practical nurses, cabinetmakers and window cleaners.

"This part of the country is in a serious labour gap and Jamaica is seeking to go into these areas and provide workers for the areas which are needed," McIntosh said.

Charles said he hoped more women would be included in the next batch of workers to Canada.