Members of Parliament (MPs) will now be allowed to recommend persons for the Canadian and United States farm work programme for the 2008 season, which will commence soon.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles, disclosed this in a statement to the House of Representatives recently.

"In the past, some Members of Parliament were barred from participating in the programme because of the quality of persons they recommended, many of whom absconded from the programme," the Minister said.

"In that regard I am seeking the cooperation of my fellow Parliamentarians to ensure that persons who are recommended satisfy the criteria which we have established," Mr. Charles added.

Persons recommended must be between 22 and 45 years of age and literate; be of good character and good health; not previously disqualified from any overseas employment programme due to medical or other reason; in possession of a certified copy of birth certificate and a valid (new) passport (burgundy), and should be free of any criminal record and not deported from any country.