BRIDGETOWN, Barbados--Barbados’ Ambassador to the Caribbean Community CARICOM, David Comissiong has dismissed as “propaganda” claims that this island could suffer social fallout as a result of the implementation of the Protocol of Contingent Rights.
On March 1, the Caribbean Community Amendment Bill 2019 was passed in Parliament, giving effect to the protocol which extends basic rights to the spouse, young children and dependent parents of skilled CARICOM nationals, in the host territory.
They are allowed to enter and leave the country without restrictions, while the spouse would not require a work permit in order to seek employment.
As it relates to education and health care, the government of Barbados, which has lead responsibility for the CSME, has moved a step further and granted the children of skilled CARICOM nationals access to education at both primary and secondary levels. It has also made provision for these families to access primary health care. These are areas which the other CARICOM member states aim to have implemented in the future.
Stressing that there was misinformation in the public domain, Ambassador Comissiong explained that the protocol only applied to those working under the CARICOM Skilled Nationals Programme.
“It is only a CARICOM national who comes to Barbados with a CARICOM Skills Certificate that is accepted in Barbados; that is able to find work in Barbados; that is then given permission by the Barbados government to reside and work indefinitely. It is that person, only that person, who is granted the right for their spouse [and – Ed.] children to join them,” he stressed, adding that it would be “wrong” to deny individuals these basic and fundamental rights.
Comissiong also sought to assure that there was no need to fear the free movement of skilled nationals, reiterating that host territories stood to benefit from the expertise of these individuals, as well as economically, through their tax contributions and spending power.
He added that contrary to popular belief, the number of people entering Barbados under the CARICOM Skilled Nationals Programme was “small,” but said he was awaiting official figures from the Barbados Accreditation Council.
The CARICOM Ambassador added that Barbados was more likely to take advantage of this programme, as very few of the other islands currently offer Caribbean Vocational Qualifications, which artisans must have in order to work in Barbados.
And he has urged Barbadians to explore opportunities within the neighbouring islands. ~ Caribbean360 ~
