Minister Hippolyte Engages Workers and Canadian Farm Employers in Assessment of Farm Labour Programme

by Department of Labour, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs
SAINT LUCIAN FARM WORKERS OVER IN CANADA AS WELL AS CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS AS THE GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA ASSESSES THE COUNTRY’S PARTICIPATION

Minister for Labour, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, has led a delegation from the Department of Labour in direct engagements with

Saint Lucian farm workers over in Canada as well as Canadian agricultural employers as the Government of Saint Lucia assesses the country’s participation in the Canada Farm Labour Programme.

The engagements, held in Canada on September 14 and 15, provided an opportunity for the delegation to hear directly from Saint Lucian nationals currently employed on Canadian farms, while also meeting with farm owners and their representatives to gain firsthand insight into the operation of the Programme from an employer perspective.

Discussions with Saint Lucian workers focused on their employment experiences, including working conditions, support systems, and the opportunities, benefits and challenges associated with participating in the overseas agricultural employment programme.

The delegation also visited participating farms and engaged Canadian employers on their experiences with the Programme, including the requirements associated with employing Saint Lucian workers and the opportunities available within Canada’s agricultural sector.

Bringing together the perspectives of both workers and employers forms an important part of the Government’s assessment, providing a more comprehensive understanding of how the Programme operates and the experiences of those directly involved.

Minister Hippolyte was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Sheila Imbert; Nadia PierreLouis of the Employment Unit of the Department of Labour; and Ms. Allison Joseph, in collaboration with Eastern Caribbean Liaison Services, which coordinates the Programme in Canada.

The Government’s assessment reflects its commitment to ensuring that workers’ experiences and stakeholder perspectives inform the evaluation of overseas employment initiatives. Direct consultation with Saint Lucian participants and employers provides valuable insight as the Government considers opportunities to strengthen and improve the Programme.

Real Estate