Nearly 2,500 Jamaicans Secure US Jobs Through H-2A and H-2B Programmes

Kingston, Jamaica — A total of 2,482 Jamaicans travelled to the United States for employment between January and June 2025 under the H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (non-agricultural) visa programmes.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, shared the update during a Jamaica Central Labour Organisation (JACLO) webinar on Thursday.

According to the minister, the figure accounts for 36 per cent of all Jamaicans who have secured overseas employment so far this year.

“For us, it’s not just numbers. These are our sons, our daughters, our mothers, our fathers whose lives and communities are being transformed and impacted because they have access to meaningful work,” Charles said.

He explained that the Ministry continues to support participants in the Overseas Employment Programme through skills training, work readiness preparation, and by maintaining a national database of pre-screened workers.

“We respond swiftly to your needs as employers and we also conduct pre-departure orientation, covering labour rights, financial literacy and cultural expectations — another element in Jamaica’s effort to prepare our candidates for the transition to this jurisdiction where we want them to expose themselves but also to represent Jamaica with excellence,” Charles added.

The minister also highlighted the role of liaison officers in safeguarding the welfare of Jamaican workers overseas. These officers help resolve disputes, support workers and employers, and even mentor newcomers by pairing them with experienced workers to promote discipline and emotional preparedness.

Charles noted that while the H-2A programme remains Jamaica’s flagship for overseas agricultural employment, the Government is actively working to expand participation in the H-2B programme, which offers temporary non-agricultural work opportunities in industries such as hospitality, landscaping, construction, janitorial services, seafood processing, and amusement and recreation.

He reported that Jamaicans are contributing significantly to seasonal operations in states such as Florida, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, and Colorado.

“These workers continue to shine in their roles — cooks, housekeepers, drivers, bartenders, landscapers, front desk agents — they are the face of hospitality in your jurisdiction,” he said, noting that many come with extensive experience from Jamaica’s tourism sector.

As labour shortages persist across seasonal industries in the United States, Charles said Jamaica remains strategically positioned to meet the demand.

“We are nearshore, and by investing in worker readiness, expanding our talent pools, and reinforcing ethical recruitment, we are ensuring that our labour programmes remain agile, reliable, and impactful — and that we are ready to partner with you,” the minister concluded.