Parliament

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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, will be conducting a pre- selection exercise for the farm work component of the Overseas Employment Programme, from March 16 to 27.

"This means that we will be going islandwide to pre-select persons who will be suitable to work on the farm work programme, so that when the overseas employers submit requests for workers, a ready supply of suitable workers will be available," Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles, said in a statement to the House of Representatives, on February 3.

He also informed that Members of Parliament (MPs), would be distributing application forms to suitable candidates in their constituencies.

Mr. Charles said that persons interested in applying for the overseas work programme must have knowledge and experience in farming; must be between 21 and 45 years of age, and must possess a certified copy of their birth certificate.

Applicants should also be literate; be of good character; be in good health; must not have been previously disqualified from any overseas employment programme, due to medical or any other reason; must possess a valid Jamaican passport; must not have a criminal record; and applicants must not have been deported from any country.

The Minister emphasised that the application form must not be reproduced, whether through photocopying, computer generation, or any other means.

"Please bear in mind the date that the required information is to be returned to the Ministry, is by February 13. This will help to ensure that the pre-selection process takes place in an orderly and timely manner. Subsequent to the return of all the distributed forms, you will be informed of the arrangements for the actual pre-selection," Mr. Charles said.

The Ministry is also recruiting persons for the J-1 Summer Work and Travel Programme, and the J-1 Camp Counsellor Programme. The Work and Travel Programme is only open to students at tertiary level training institutions, such as the University of the West Indies (UWI), University of Technology (UTech), or teacher training colleges.

"It is a work experience programme and students will be able to participate during the summer holiday period only. Currently, students are primarily selected from fields, such as hospitality and tourism management, and agriculture/agribusiness," Mr. Charles explained.

The Minister stressed that participants are responsible for paying all programme fees and transportation cost. Programme fees include a scholarship fee of US$490.00-US$750, which includes insurance coverage; a student exchange information system fee of US$35; a United States (US) visa fee of US$131, and a visa appointment date fee of US$5.00.

"There is also a two per cent administrative fee, which is salary deductible. For the J-1 Camp Counsellor Programme, the programme fees are the same, except that the sponsorship fee is US$250 and the fee for insurance coverage is US$115," Mr. Charles pointed out.

Persons interested in the Camp Counsellor Programme must be enrolled in a physical training course in an institution, such as the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport.

Further details on both programmes can be obtained from the Ministry's Manpower Services Department.

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