Farmworker slams compatriots as runaways who squander chance

Lodrick Williams has been travelling to the same United States farm for the past 38 years and has credited the overseas work programme for the acquisition of property and the generation of a nest egg.

Five of his six children are fully schooled and have now flown the coop, and parked in his carport in Kellits, Clarendon, are two motor vehicles.

A regular at the Lull Farm in New Hampshire, Williams has praised the North America employment programme for giving locals an economic lifeline.

His commendation offers a nuanced perspective on the financial value of the work-travel programme in contrast to complaints about living and working conditions in Canada.

Mounting criticism has focused on cramped living quarters and disrespectful treatment in Canada, but Williams has accused his compatriots of being “ungrateful”.

“They run from here to there, they switch farms. They go to here to there like the grass is always gonna be greener on the other side and they keep moving. Then they find a spot that they stop,” Williams said.

That reference to runaways corroborates concerns raised by under-pressure Labour and Social Security Minister Karl Samuda, who said in May that the programme was being jeopardised by farmworkers going AWOL.

Samuda has been slammed by some farmworkers for dismissing their allegations.

But Williams has scoffed at his fellow Jamaicans who have failed to cash in on the opportunity.

“Many of these farmers they are working seven days a week, I don’t see why nobody don’t make no money and even if you are doing six hours a day and six days for the week, you still can make money,” he noted.

“I start at scratch, and maybe I could have more if I was only working for myself. From what I earned, I am quite satisfied and I put it to good use. ... I do make a good living; I built my house.”

Williams said he has a good relationship with his boss at Lull Farm, adding that fellow Jamaicans live in comfort and are treated fairly.

“A lot of men who pass out these reports, they come here and they take women and squander their lives … . I could be one of them too, but I know what I left behind me.”