Popular Chinese mechanic has been ordered to close operations pending government investigation
The Whole Hearted Car Services Company, located in Ferry Pen, St. Catherine, and operated by Chinese nationals, has been mandated to suspend its operations until the immigration status of its Chinese employees is fully verified. This directive has been issued by the Work Permit Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
This follows a report on Thursday that disclosed the lack of valid work permits for the ten Chinese mechanics employed by the company.
Speaking on Nationwide at Five on Thursday, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. indicated that a team of investigators from the Work Permit Department is currently engaged in discussions with the Chinese mechanics to ascertain their employment status. Until the completion of this review process, they are required to refrain from providing any mechanical services.
The report confirms that Mingjhen Chen, who asserts he is the manager of the facility, possesses authorization to work on the island. However, it has come to our attention that his permit is specifically for employment at a haberdashery in Mandeville, Manchester.
The internet is on fire with Jamaicans raving about their newfound love for Chinese mechanics. It’s hardly shocking—after all, many Jamaicans are fed up with their local mechanics, who’ve earned a reputation as unscrupulous crooks overcharging for every minor fix. Some even argue that these shifty characters are running petty theft rings right under our noses. Countless Jamaicans have recounted jaw-dropping tales of leaving their cars with these so-called professionals for weekend repairs, only to see their vehicles being driven around by strangers on their way to church!
Some Jamaicans online are claiming that these so-called unscrupulous mechanics might have ratted out the Chinese shop to the government, suggesting that they have been motivated by jealousy over the shop’s growing popularity and success in the community. This alleged betrayal has sparked heated discussions on social media, where many are choosing sides in a debate that pits local workers against a foreign enterprise. Some users have even speculated that this act was not just a simple reporting but rather part of a larger pattern of hostility towards businesses that are seen as competitive threats. As the story unfolds, it has become clear that tensions are running high, reflecting deeper issues within the community about race, competition, and economic opportunities.
According to the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, it is imperative for foreign nationals desiring employment in Jamaica to secure a valid work permit from the relevant ministry. The legislation accords precedence to qualified Jamaican citizens while permitting the employment of foreign workers possessing specialized skills that are not readily available within the local labor market. It is deemed unlawful for foreign nationals to engage in work activities without the requisite permits, as well as for employers to recruit such individuals without appropriate authorization. The penalties for noncompliance include fines of up to $500,000 and/or incarceration for a duration of up to six months.
Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. is committed to providing updates to the public upon the conclusion of the investigation and the formal review of the findings.