Jamaica:-

Note to Employers of Jamaican Healthcare Professionals in Canada

The Jamaican Liaison Service (JLS)

The Jamaican Liaison Service (JLS) is the agency established by the Ministry of Labour (Government of Jamaica) under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal government of Canada and the government of Jamaica.

In executing this responsibility, the JLA mandate is to work in close association with all Federal, Provincial and NGOs to facilitate the general welfare of all workers from Jamaica to Canada. This Service is also involved with recruitment of Skilled and Unskilled workers under the Temporary Foreign Workers Project.

The service provided is not limited to Ontario as we seek opportunities to serve other provinces with quality workers and a reliable workforce wherever the need arises.

Employers considering hiring Skilled and Low Skilled workers in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP) should contact their local Service Canada office for information regarding this process or they may contact Able Healthcare Professionals to simplify the process.

Together, we make hiring a foreign worker easy. We act as a third party objective representative to guarantee your business with skilled, reliable, trained workers and we have established relationships with Heart Trust National Training Agency of Jamaica. A consultant can be available to an employer’s or a worker’s need 24 hours a day. Able Healthcare Professionals is here to promote co-operation and make regular routine visits to the worksite of Jamaican healthcare resources and most importantly, all services are free of charge to the employee.

Service Provided
Through Able Healthcare Professionals and the Ministry of Labour & Social Security in Jamaica:

 Select & interview potential workers in Jamaica. The following procedures, in the preparation of workers to travel to Canada, are implemented.

1. Police Check
2. Medical Check
3. Canadian High Commission clearance, visa & work permit
4. Transport workers to point of departure
5. Meet workers at the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, or ensure safe passage to other port in Canada
6. Assist Immigration and Customs clearance
7. Assist workers to reach employers or their designates (CANAG, FERME VOYAGE and other travel agencies)
8.Registration of workers for Provincial Health Insurances and Social Insurance numbers

 Administer all aspects of contractual agreement
 Ensure that the General welfare of all healthcare resources are met
  Advise all Federal and Provincial authorities of workers’ repatriation at the end of their contract.


Benefits Provided to Healthcare Resources from Jamaica to Canada

Prescription Drugs for Non-Occupational illnesses
The cost of drugs/medication supplied or purchased by the worker may be submitted to Able Healthcare Professionals for reimbursement, however the request for a refund must be accompanied with the original drug receipt.

Dental Care
All dental care is the responsibility of the worker except in cases of work place related injuries.

Canadian Law
While in Canada, the workers must abide by the law and offenses such as shoplifting, drug related offenses, sexual assault, touching of females without consent, disorderly behaviour, will land him/her in prison and if found guilty, may either be deported immediately or serve time then deported.

Money Transfer
National Commercial Bank-Jamaica has launched Senvia Money Services which allows all Jamaican healthcare resources to send money to Jamaica at any branch of the National Commercial Bank at an attractive rate. For further information call toll free 1-877-225-2750.

Western Union is offering preferred Customer Cards to all Jamaican healthcare resources which will allow workers to send money to Jamaica at a reasonable rate. To receive the special offer, workers must first register at any Western Union outlet. For further information call toll free 1-800-225-2750.

There are also other Agencies offering money transfer services to Jamaica:
 Rapid Remittance - 1-800-631-3209
 Jamaica National - 1-866-353-7778
 Victoria Mutual - 416-652-8652
 Money Gram - 1-800-926-9400

Domestic Repatriation
If a worker wishes to return home for domestic reasons he must first inform the employer, who should advise the Able Healthcare Professionals, who will in turn have the Ministry of Labour in Jamaica investigate the circumstances. Arrangements might then be made for the worker to proceed home, depending on recommendation by the Ministry.

Please note, that for a new worker with less than 50% of his/her contract completed, he/she will be responsible for the full cost of the return fare.

With more than 50% of the contract completed, the employer will pay 25% of the return fare.

Canada Pension
Workers who have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) are entitled to apply to Canada Pension at age 65.

Jamaican Pension
Workers will also be entitled to benefits from the National Insurance in Jamaica, based on the contributions made on their behalf by Able Healthcare Professionals.

Worker's returning to Jamaica
Workers returning to Jamaica are allowed two (2) pieces of luggage weighing a maximum of 50lbs each, and one (1) hand luggage weighing 20lbs. Only these two (2) pieces plus the hand luggage are guaranteed to be taken by the Airlines and any additional piece might not. Bicycles are treated as excess, regardless of number of pieces.

Luggage over 50lbs will have to be shipped. Arrangement will be made at the airport to facilitate either to air freight or sea freight at special rates through Atlas Freight Forwarding. Prior arrangements can also be made for all excess luggage by calling Toll Free: 1800-267-5754. Radios, televisions, HI-FI Sets and Bicycles should be in their original container, or securely packed for shipping.