A government minister has urged more skilled workers to explore job opportunities available across CARICOM.
Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams also said Barbadians have benefited tremendously from the bloc’s skilled nationals free movement regime over the years.
He told the House of Assembly on Tuesday that between 2010 and 2021, 3 442 CARICOM nationals were granted indefinite stay in Barbados and 351 have been approved under the Right of Establishment to create businesses.
University graduates made up the vast majority of skilled national certifications, followed by artistes and sportspeople. Of the 3 181 skill certifications issued locally 3 181, graduates accounted for 1 890.
“The bulk of persons who have actually benefited from the free movement have actually been graduates,” he explained.
Abrahams made the comments as he introduced a bill to amend the Caribbean Community (Movement of Skilled Nationals) Act which he said would offer clearer definitions of those skilled CARICOM nationals to be able to work under the free movement regime.
The legislative amendment, described as an attempt to clarify definitions and make them more “contemporary” makes provision for artisans, agricultural workers and security guards to join university graduates, media people, musicians and sportspeople among those who can freely offer their services without having to apply for a work permit.
The home affairs minister explained to the House that after making some changes over the years, CARICOM heads have agreed to an enhanced list of those who would qualify for free movement including university graduates, artistes, musicians and sportspersons. They later agreed that artisans, hospitality workers, domestics, nurses who are not already university graduates, and teachers would be included. He explained that in 2018 a further change was made to include agricultural workers and security officers.
“While we have made the legislative changes, it is now necessary for us to bring these changes in line with the evolving definitions as agreed by the heads,” said Abrahams.”The most recent definitions have been in relation to agricultural workers, domestics and security guards/”.
The definitions reflect an expansion in the description of the duties which could be undertaken by those in the specific categories. Agricultural workers, for example, the minister said, are defined as those holding a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) or a certificate from a registering body and are actively engaged in crop farming production and livestock farming.
The Christ Church East MP also took the opportunity to encourage Barbadian workers to explore nontraditional areas including live-in nanny opportunities which are being requested more and more by those setting up homes here.
He said people who move their businesses and families to Barbados are bringing caregivers with them because no locals are even applying for these jobs when they are advertised.
Entrepreneurs were also encouraged to be more open to exploring the wider market available outside of this country by taking advantage of the Right of Establishment under the CARICOM Treaty which also allows for free movement. Abrahams warned that those who continue to rely only on the local market are limiting their potential to earn from a much wider market.
“We need to stop thinking only of our markets and our experiences in Barbados. Exports to CARICOM member states from Barbados are in the region of $300-$350 million a year,” he said.
“It doesn’t make sense for me to sell my seasoning in Barbados alone when there is so much competition out there in Barbados for seasoning alone. I should be able to sell my seasoning in Trinidad. I should be able to go down to Trinidad if I want and set up my business in Trinidad. under the Rights of Establishment.”
(SP)
