Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jnr, has been engaging with operators of farms and other stakeholders, in the United States, in a bid to forge new partnerships.

Mr. Charles Jnr, is in Las Vegas attending the National Council of Agricultural Employers – Agricultural Employer Labour Forum.

The Labour Minister met with representatives from the Washington-based First Fruit farms, which has employed Jamaican farm workers for the past 2 years.

The farm has 60 Jamaican workers.

The Minister said he and other officials in the Jamaican delegation, are working to strengthen partnerships and expand the Farm Work Programme network even further.

The annual Agricultural Labour Forum brings together key leaders in the agricultural employment and labour communities from across the globe.

Attorneys, academics, agents as well as representatives from federal agencies and foreign governments are delving into labour issues which face US agricultural employers.

Legislation impacting farm and ranch operations is being highlighted, as well as compliance issues, relative to agricultural employment. The forum also features discussions on topics including: agricultural labour safety, agricultural employment tax and the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Visa Programme.