Over the years, men have dominated the OECS’ participation in the Canada-Caribbean Seasonal Agriculture Workers Program. Since 2020, a few women from Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent have come to Canada each year to work on farms in the provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.
More recently, the Eastern Caribbean Liaison Service (ECLS), the unit of the OECS Commission responsible for stewardship of this program, has embarked on a ‘Women in Agriculture’ initiative to give priority to expanding the participation of OECS women in the program.
The intent is for young women farmers to benefit from seasonal employment on a Canadian farm – including active-learning of modern farming methods and the use of technology in farming.
The outcomes of this initiative also fulfill a strategic objective of the OECS Commission – reduction of unemployment among nationals of the OECS member states.
Source: Government of Saint Lucia
For more information on the Seasonal Agricultural Farm Workers Program, please contact the Employment Unit, of the Department of Labour in Saint Lucia and/or the O.E.C.S. Liaison Service office, in Toronto:
The Employment Unit of the Department of Labour – Saint Lucia:
Email: employment.unit@govt.lc
Tel: 1 (758) 722-0681 | 1 (758) 720-1937
The O.E.C.S. Liaison Service in Toronto – Canada:
Email: ecls@oecs.int
Tel: 1 (416) 222-1988 | 1 (416) 523-4662
