Caribbean nations launch EU-style deal to let citizens work freely across borders | Caribbean
On Wednesday, a historical EU -Free Movement Agreement in the four Caribbean countries came into force and entered into force with an agreement that the authorities hoped for North America and Europe that they will not provide the flow of talented professionals leaving the region.
The agreement between Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St Vincent and Grenadins (SVG) follows decades of discussions and negotiations between the Caribbean community members (Caricom), a regional group of 15 member states.
“Full Free Movement” will allow citizens of the four countries to reside, work and remain indefinitely without the need for business or residence permit.
Caricom Nationals’ skills, service and business organization under the categories of participating member states under categories of Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) program offered within the scope of the expansion of the migration options offered.
Barbados’ Ambassador of Caricom David Comissiong said that the plan is not only related to the free movement of workers, but also about cultural and economic integration and reaching a single market and a single economy throughout the Caribbean.
“We are almost the same people. We have no historical hostility towards each other and we are culturally very similar. So, although it is only four countries. He said.
Kendol Morgan, a former Caricom Communication Authority, said that a concern for some countries during negotiations was the potential pressure on social services.
“They were worried that some countries are worried that there were too many movements for employment that too many people come and they were worried that they brought their children and their wives. And where the health sector is already served for the local population, it may extend to a point where the authorities may find it difficult to address.”
He said that a similar regulation of free movement between countries in a sub -regional group called the Eastern Caribbean States Organization gave some confidence to governments after seeing that a particular country has not been extremely deteriorated ”.
The new arrangement comes in the midst of concerns about a regional brain evacuation, and qualified professionals follow profitable salaries and opportunities in England, the United States and Canada, and leave the islands in critical fields such as health and education.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motteley Increased concerns About the declining and aging population of the country.
Comisiong reiterating his concerns, he said he hoped that the plan of freedom of movement will provide more opportunities in the region.
“All our countries, especially the majority of these immigrants … High -educated and educated young people – citizens who need to keep at home, are interested in reducing the number of people who migrate to North America and Europe so that they can contribute to national development.
“Everything we can do to make our Caribbean region more attractive for these young people living at home is a step in the right direction,” he said.
The views in the region were divided. Anthony Roberts, a 45 -year -old shop in Barbados, expressed his concern that the agreement would mean more competition for business. However, Darren Clarke, a 21 -year -old West Indian Islands student, said this was a “the right step”.
“People should be able to move around and contribute to the need for their need. One day I love the idea that I can find a job in Jamaica or Guyana without having to jump from a million circles.”
46 -year -old Michelle Thorne, an air traffic controller in St Vincent and Grenadines, is concerned that Vincentans will be convinced by higher salaries and the country will lose its critical labor force.
However, 32 -year -old teacher Marissa Bacchus said that the arrangement provided an alternative to migrate to the US and became less attractive because of arms violence. Orum I am already thinking of acting… I am entitled to teach in Barbados.
