Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Employers exploiting our youth

Published:Saturday | May 25, 2019 | 12:18 AM

THE EDITOR, Sir:

It is with great sadness that I am writing this letter. I do not live in Jamaica anymore but I visit for three months every year, so I am not one of those who say “me naa go back deh”. I have young nieces and nephews there who I always encourage to be the best they can.

I understand that there are places that put these young people on work experience for three months, and within those three months some of these employers have these youth working overtime and on holidays, even Good Friday, and weekends without paying them anything extra. In fact, they are not even paying the minimum wage.

INVESTIGATE

These employers are unscrupulous and the labour ministry should look into it because when the three months’ placement is up, they get a new batch of workers and so their businesses thrive on slave labour.

I spoke to my niece and she is so disillusioned because she spoke up about doing so much overtime and still going home with less than $14,000 for the fortnight. WHY?

Could someone please look into this matter. I am sure that is a form of scamming.

F. HINDMARCH

jdhindmarch@talktalk.net