Veteran farm worker takes 25th trip to Canada

Farm worker Victor Lettman has been on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) 24 times.

On Friday, he departed Jamaica for his 25th trip to Canada, a country that has provided for his family’s needs for more than two decades.

“I couldn’t get any job. I had my young kids and couldn’t find anything fi give them, so me haffi seek higher ground. It helped me to put bread on my table and it helped me to have a roof over my head,” he said.

He shared that he worked hard to provide for his three sons who are now in their thirties, noting that the goal of this trip is to save for retirement.

“Think about living in Jamaica and you don’t have a weekly wage. So it makes sense that I can go and set my goals and prepare for retirement,” the 60-year-old resident of St Elizabeth said.

About the weather, he said he had to condition his mind to working in colder temperatures.

“Wherever you get your bread from, it cyah be too hard, and dem seh yuh haffi seek yuh bread in desolate places,” Lettman reasoned.

He explained that his more than two decades’ experience has been varied.

“Every year is a new year, so you have to look forward to new things coming at you. I wouldn’t go this time of year. I usually go in March. So, right now, me a go inna new sumpm weh me nuh understand, so me haffi go learn,” he said.

Lettman said that the technology used on the farms has changed over the years.

In addition to manual labour, farm workers operate harvesters, pullers, tractors and other equipment.

“You have to know your job and if you don’t know your job, then you have a problem. Maybe you come home back on the next flight,” he said.

This year, Lettman will be working on a sweet pepper farm as he has done for the past 24 times.

“A lot of people find it hard, but for all the new guys, you just have to put your shoulders to the wheel,” he encouraged.

Last week, 96 Jamaican farm workers departed the island to participate in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme. This marked the first sendoff by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for the year, between Jamaica and Canada, marking some 60-years of bilateral partnership.

The workers are destined for Ontario and New Brunswick provinces in Canada, where they will contribute to agricultural operations in key locations, including Leamington, West Lorne, Thedford, Brantford, Northampton, Arkona, and Delhi.

The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme continues to provide thousands of employment opportunities annually for Jamaicans.

In 2024 alone, 14,428 Jamaicans benefited from the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Programme, with approximately 57 per cent (8,255) participating in SAWP. An additional three per cent (428 workers) travelled to Canada under the Low-Skill Programme, while 40 per cent (5,695) were engaged in the United States Programme.

60TH ANNIVERSARY

“The success of the Overseas Employment Programme depends on the attitude, conduct, and behaviour of our ambassadors, you, the workers,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., told the participants.

“When you excel, you unlock doors for many more Jamaicans to benefit from this opportunity.”

For nearly six decades, Jamaica and Canada have maintained a beneficial partnership through the SAWP. The collaboration drives agricultural productivity in Canada while creating valuable employment opportunities for Jamaicans. Michael Lazaruk, representing Mark Berman, High Commissioner to Jamaica, expressed gratitude for Jamaican workers’ contributions to Canada’s agricultural sector.

“Jamaicans have long been integral to Canada’s agricultural and food security efforts, and for that, we are truly grateful,” Lazaruk said.

“This year marks the 60th anniversary of this mutually beneficial partnership between Canada and Jamaica. Canada remains committed to working with Jamaica and Canadian employers to ensure the programme operates fairly, safely, and efficiently for all participants.”

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dione Jennings, charged the workers to be good ambassadors for Jamaica.

State Minister, Dr Norman Dunn highlighted that the programme is an opportunity for the workers to realise their dreams and aspirations and to create a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

He encouraged them to perform their duties with diligence and determination, pay keen attention to the requirements of their contracts and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times.

“First timers, you have the legacy to carry on,” Dr Dunn said.

“You have to continue to fly the name of Jamaican workers high, because the Jamaican worker is known to be hard working, disciplined, dedicated, committed to his task and self-motivated. These qualities are not lost on the Canadian employer and so they continue to participate in this programme, requesting persons to return year after year.”