Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica: Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit chaired the special meeting of CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) with regional ministers of Labour, focusing on the strengthening of policies and legislation to govern labour migration and mobility in the Caribbean as well as implementation of CSME.
With this meeting, PM Roosevelt Skerrit envisaged the elimination of barriers and promoting cooperation in spheres of trade and security, particularly aiming towards the achievement of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy(CSME), that according to him, will provide a competitive advantage to the country.Â
As PM Skerrit noted, “The development of CSME will ensure optimal accessibility to competent human resources, allow citizens greater access to better educational and training opportunities, higher paying jobs, and ultimately, more rewarding lives.“
At the same time, PM Skerrit highlighted that the successful regional grouping under CARICOM will complete 50 years on July 4, 2023. Thus, making it necessary for the Dominican Government to assess what it has achieved so far and to what extent the government has managed to stick to its ideals.Â
Therefore, in his address, PM updated on various key issues, which included the proposed model of the CARICOM skilled nationals act and its upgradation to meet up the Revised Treaty guidelines and inclusion of new categories as well.
About the expansion of eligible categories, PM Skerrit added that the final list of skilled personnel does not, in any way, reflect the categories that have been considered by the community for their free movement.
About the same, PM Skerrit stated: “As far as I understand is that some states have delayed inclusion of proposed groups, while others have already adopted those categories of workers cleared to for their free movement.Â
This is inclusive of the groups of artisans or the persons who have at least five CSEC passes and equivalent such as related technical and vocational qualifications; aviation personnel; and hospitality workers.“
The PM also briefed about the establishment of a national infrastructure for the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) in member states and the establishment of the Free Movement Desk and Free Movement Committee for the benefit of labour and human resources.Â
Notably, the officials accompanying Prime Minister Skerrit include Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Energy, Mrs Barbara Dailey, Minister for Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Hon. Miriam Blanchard joined the high-level meeting with her colleague Labour Ministers from Georgetown, Guyana.
Â
