By Jamaica Consulate of NY

Owed Compensation Agency underpaid over time. One person owed over $13,000.

In a recent and significant development, the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York has initiated efforts to identify and support Jamaican individuals who were employed by the home health care agency, Excellent Care, located at 654 Empire Blvd, Rochester, NY, during the years 2022 and 2023. An investigation conducted by the US Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division has uncovered troubling evidence indicating that these individuals may have been victims of underpayment for the vital services they provided during that time.

Irrespective of their legal status, the Consulate General of Jamaica is firmly committed to addressing this issue and ensuring that the funds identified during the course of the investigation are rightfully returned to the deserving individuals who were underpaid. The underpaid workers in question are owed varying sums, ranging from as little as $2,400 to as much as $13,800, highlighting the seriousness of the underpayment and the pressing need for prompt resolution.

The US Department of Labor, as part of its overarching mission to safeguard the rights and welfare of all workers within its jurisdiction, wishes to emphasize the universal rights of laborers. It is crucial that all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, understand and assert their rights as workers. If there is even a suspicion of exploitation or underpayment, individuals are strongly encouraged to come forward without hesitation, fear, or concern about their legal status. Ensuring that workers are treated fairly and compensated justly is not only a moral imperative but also a cornerstone of the labor laws of the United States.

This endeavor seeks to address historical injustices and create a more equitable and just future for all workers, regardless of their national origin. The Consulate General of Jamaica firmly believes that by standing up for the rights of underpaid workers, they are championing a cause that transcends borders.

To facilitate this process, the Consulate General of Jamaica urges individuals who are Jamaican nationals and who worked for Excellent Care in the Rochester area during the years 2022 and 2023 to come forward. Additionally, if you are aware of someone who fits this description, your assistance in spreading awareness and reaching affected parties is greatly appreciated. You can contact the Consulate General of Jamaica’s Community Relations Officer at cro@ congenjamaica-ny.org or call 212-935-9000 ext 123

This initiative underscores the importance of protecting labor rights and seeking justice, irrespective of immigration status. It sends a powerful message that every worker deserves dignity, fairness, and justice. Your cooperation and support can make a substantial difference in achieving justice for those who may have been wronged, reinforcing the fundamental principle that all workers, regardless of their legal status, deserve fair treatment and just compensation.

“Jamaica has the opportunity to access financing at costs lower than we have before, on a relative basis. Because the higher your credit rating, it means the more credit-worthy you are and the more credit-worthy you are, is the less that investors demand to lend you money,” Dr. Clarke stated.

“So, if you pay less for money that you need to finance yourself, it means more becomes available for other expenditure [such as] health, security and infrastructure. So, credit worthiness is linked to fiscal space. The higher your level of credit-worthiness, the more fiscal space that you can have, which, over a long period of time, amounts to a lot of resources,” he added.

The Minister was speaking during the opening ceremony for the Jamaica Institution of Engineers’ observance of Engineers’ Week, at The Summit in New Kingston on Monday (September 18).

Dr. Clarke also pointed out that there is a direct linkage between credit ratings and the country’s ability to finance the society’s needs.

He said Jamaica previously had a ranking of CCC, which is known as a junk credit rating status.

“There was a time where interest payments were 16 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Today, interest payments are like five per cent of GDP, and that is what has allowed us to rebalance the Jamaican economy, to put us on a strong footing and spend more on infrastructure than ever before,” Dr. Clarke indicated.

The Finance Minister also noted that the higher the credit rating, the more favourable the investment climate is deemed to be.

  Caribbean, Jamaica, labor