Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has thrown his support behind Government’s amendment to the CARICOM free movement legislation noting that the enhancements to the laws are a continuation of efforts at regionalism started long ago
However, in the current environment, Thorne wanted to know how the labour organisations here have been dealing with the free movement of labour.
Speaking in the debate on the Caribbean Community (Movement of Skilled Nationals) Amendment Bill, 2024, the Christ Church South Member of Parliament raised the question in the context of the movement of labour in the “less prestigious positions”. He said while it has to be considered good for economic growth, the free movement question has to be considered in the scenario where workers of similar “status” in another country may be going after the same jobs.
“How is the labour movement across the Caribbean relating to the issue of this free movement of labour when in some cases it presents a threat to local labour, and you therefore find yourself having to satisfy your local member,“ Thorne asked.
“Labour must now ask itself some serious questions in relation to this issue of free movement of labour and free movement of labour at the less prestigious levels,” he added.
The Christ Church South Member of Parliament also challenged the union (Barbados Workers’ Union) to open up its teaching model of the Labour College to people from the region.
(SP)
