Jamaica expects no significant fallout from Canada's restriction on foreign workers
Published:Tuesday | August 27, 2024 | 1:34 PM
Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles Jr says he does not expect Jamaica to experience any significant fallout from the announcement that Canada is to cut the number of temporary foreign workers being let into that country.
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau made the announcement regarding the temporary Foreign Worker Programme on Monday.
A media release from Charles on Tuesday noted that Trudeau has made it clear that there will be exceptions for the food security sectors, like agriculture, food and fish processing.
There will also be exceptions for construction and health care where acute staff shortages still exist.
Charles said the ministry does not expect that there will be any significant fallout from the announcement.
"Notwithstanding the Government of Jamaica has proactively assigned our Permanent Secretary Colette Roberts Risden on this special assignment to strengthen the programme, provide sustainability, and to protect Jamaica's interests," Charles said.
The move to restrict the number of foreign workers comes as Canada grapples with a rapidly growing population that economists say has put strain on housing and public services like healthcare.
The vast majority of Canada's population growth last year was driven by immigration, according to the federal statistics.
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