By Joan Wilson–
Caribbean Globe Staff Writer–
Every year there is a clamor in Jamaica for farm work tickets. There are more applications than available spaces. For them, it is the chance to more adequately support their families and provide a better life as they work the seasonal jobs.
“It’s not an easy road; And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose….” These words from the iconic Buju Banton ring sorely true for many Jamaicans.
Sherene Johnson* was one such person. Being unemployed for so long, she was over the moon when the opportunity came her way to be amongst the batch that would be boarding the flight to Canada where she would be working on a farm.
It didn’t take long for reality to strike as she realized how hard she had to work to even come home with money that would tide her over until she again made the trek.
“I’m telling you the truth, if it was a case where I could take a bus to come home I would! It is no better than slavery!” she related to the The Caribbean Globe.
Johnson said she is not afraid of hard work. In fact she went there with the intention to do just that, but what she experienced put every ounce of strength in her body to the test.
“I started working from about 7 am and we only got half hour break in between for lunch; and most days we don’t finish until about 12 midnight if we are lucky,” she shared.
She said they were also entitled to a day off every week, but in the early weeks of the season no one got any.
“There were times when we worked until our feet were swollen and we still had to go to work,” she said stating that the Jamaica government liaison officers who are supposed to address their grouses don’t seem to much care about what they are going through.
She remembers an occasion where one worker fell out of a tree and sprained his hand. The doctor gave him two weeks to rest, but his boss cut it to one.
According to her, they called the liaison officer and made her abreast of the situation and he was told: “Go back to work cause is that you come here to do!”
Now that she has had a first-hand experience, she is gearing up for the return trip, mentally stronger to tackle the task.
“Yes, a lot of workers think it is modern day slavery, but what are we supposed to do? We have no jobs, and it is still better than being unemployed,” Johnson said. She added that the difference is that this time when they go back, they already know what to expect, and are mentally prepared to deal with the rough road.
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* Name changed by request
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