Barbadians recruited to work in the United States of America, under the new US Farm Labour Programme, will have all their employment and personal needs met.
This assurance was given to Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan, by Chief Operating Officer of the recruiting company, Specialty Crop Farm Labour Contractor, based in Rochester, New York, Luis Carcamo.
Mr. Carcamo was in Barbados to recruit 20 Barbadians; eight to work on a vineyard with the production of grapes in the State of New York, and the remaining 12 in a greenhouse, which produces plants and flowers in West Virginia, from January and February 2022, respectively.
He, along with Minister Jordan, acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Joy Semple, and Director of the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service (BECCS) of the Ministry, Yvette Walcott-Dennis, discussed the recruitment drive and a range of issues during a courtesy lunch, recently.
During the meeting, the Minister raised the question of housing, the payment of salaries and grievance procedures for the Barbadian workers, and the possibility of future employment in the US for other prospective candidates.
In response, Mr. Carcamo gave the assurance that the housing for workers on the programme met the required standard, and noted that his company would assist workers in setting up accounts to facilitate the payment of salaries for the workers, and would be responsible for other employee-related matters. He also said that the company would facilitate the workers in obtaining winter gear during the initial settling in period to ensure their comfort, as they were expected to take up their positions during the height of the winter season.