Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

A crowd of potential Jamaican migrant workers line up yesterday at the offices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on East Street, Kingston. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

The approximately 500 interviewees, who yesterday travelled to the East Street, Kingston offices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, came well-groomed and armed with their documents.

However, as the men were told that only short haircuts would be accepted, those with corn-rowed hairstyles paid women on the compound for the twists to be untangled.

Melvin Baker of the Corporate Area was one such person.

Claiming his résumé boasted construction experience in the Grand Cayman and the United Kingdom, Baker said he had never before been asked to get a haircut.

"A construction work, a no like a factory or hotel where them have a dress code," said Baker, standing up to hand $100 to the woman who had combed out his hair.

Calvin Jones of St. Catherine laughed and showed Baker a photograph, taken with his phone, of his own long hairdo. He said he had it cut the day before the interview.

"Me hear, so me cut it before me come," Reid said.

The men said they were skilled, but wanted to work abroad to achieve a better life for their children.

Seeking a better life

"Whey me face, mi want them (his children) come see better," said Baker, a father of three.

Reid said: "The hand-to-mouth life not working."

Another applicant, Joan Wright of the Corporate Area, said "Mi just want to go a foreign".

"Why the sense I stay in Jamaica and work for the little or no money when mi can meck life better a foreign and send back some money fi mi two children," she pondered.

Alvin McIntosh, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said for the next few weeks recruitment would be ongoing in various parishes for agricultural workers in the developed countries.

Mr. McIntosh said those interviewed yesterday were from St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew.

"We are creating a pool of qualified, suitable persons," he said.

Regarding the hairstyle, Mr. McIntosh said the ministry was not discriminatory but that emphasis on being well groomed was important.

"Let us face it, it may be a style, but it does convey an impression of a way of life," he said.

At the end of January, the ministry will be conducting another recruitment drive for Jamaicans to work in the hotel industry in the United States.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com