Jamaica continues to lead as the primary source of English-speaking agricultural workers to the United States under the H-2A visa programme. According to the World Bank’s 2023 report International Migration in the Caribbean, more than 98 percent of all H-2A visas granted to Caribbean nationals over the past five years have been issued to Jamaican citizens. The report highlights Jamaica’s unmatched contribution in the region, especially as other English-speaking Caribbean countries, including Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, have had little to no participation in the programme in recent years. Jamaica stands out in the region due to its significant involvement in the program. In contrast, other English-speaking Caribbean nations have shown minimal or no participation in recent years, underscoring Jamaica’s unique contribution.

This consistent performance is no accident. It reflects a long-standing commitment by the Government of Jamaica to expand safe, legal employment pathways for Jamaicans overseas, and a deliberate effort to professionalize and modernize the country’s mutually beneficial overseas employment programme.

At the heart of this effort is the Jamaica Central Labour Organisation (JCLO), which plays a key coordinating and advocacy role for Jamaican workers and employers alike. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, JCLO has been central to improving the integrity, responsiveness, and efficiency of the H-2A system. By maintaining close working relationships with U.S. employers, monitoring the welfare of Jamaican workers on the ground, and facilitating the logistics of the programme, JCLO helps ensure that Jamaica remains a reliable and preferred source of labour.

With a renewed focus on partnerships, transparency, and worker welfare, JCLO is positioning itself not just as a placement agency but as a strategic arm of national development. Its evolving mandate reflects a wider recognition that overseas employment is not just a source of remittances, but a pillar of Jamaica’s labour market and economic resilience.