Charles

The Practical Nurses' Association has shown discontent over a statement made by Labour Minister Pearnel Charles in response to a protest by the group over what it claimed was the unreasonable selection of workers for employment in Canada.

Charles, at a meeting recently, made it clear that they weren't qualified for the overseas programme as the Canadian curriculum was different from what they had learnt in Jamaica.

The association, in a press release, stated that the Action Committee assessed and analysed Charles' comments made at the emergency meeting and has recommended that the association cease begging to entertain dialogue with the state for its members to be recognised.

'Gross humiliation'

It further stated that the statement deliberately subjected the association to gross humiliation.

"The association views the minister's behaviour as outrageous, rude and a deliberate and calculated strategy to silence our quest for recognition and dialogue," the release read.

It stated that the objective of the protest was not to assault the minister in any way, but instead to seek consultation and dialogue.

The association noted that it would be taking further actions.

"The days of appeal to the Government for recognition of its members are over," the release stated. "We will proceed immediately with a formal complaint with the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights of the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation and Amnesty International," it continued.

'The statement is fact'

But Charles stood firm in an interview with The Gleaner, saying that while he was aware that the nurses would be humiliated, the statement is fact.

He said the practical nurses were not qualified for the recruitment and it was on the grounds of meeting the Canadian standard that a programme was started to train individuals.

"They may be qualified to work in Jamaica and England but the standard required by the Canadian market is much higher, therefore the hundreds of them that came to the ministry were just not qualified," the minister said.

To date, 197 practical nurses have been trained in the Canadian Practical Nursing Programme and 183 of them were offered employment in Canada.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com