Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Two Jamaican workers who went on the Government's farm-work programme in Canada are now in police custody for allegedly wounding a Canadian.

The Gleaner has learned that the two were arrested after they were involved in a with a driver, on one of the farms, who was taking them to the airport for a flight back to Jamaica.

Very disruptive

When contacted Wednesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Alvin McIntosh, confirmed the incident. He said the two, on reaching Canada, became very disruptive and insisted that they wanted to return home.

"Our liaison officer spoke to the employers and the decision was taken that they should be returned," he said. "They were behaving violently and were very disrespectful to the employers."

He said the men, who were on the programme for the first time, were being transported to the airport when it is alleged that an argument developed and the driver was stabbed by them.

Unfortunate incident

The police subsequently arrested the two. They appeared in court and were remanded. Mr. McIntosh has described the incident as "unfortunate".

"We try to be as meticulous as possible with the selection of our workers participating in the programme. We try toensure that workers who are going up on the programme are workers with experience in farming," he said.

He also pointed out that workers usually go through a rigorous orientation process before being sent on the programme. He said that, while not trying to pre-empt the case in court, he was of the belief that the men had ulterior motives in going on the programme.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com