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| MINIMUM WAGE JOBS AT RISK WITH CSME |
| By Sheena Brooks |
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The recent addition of another category
of workers allowed to move between CARICOM islands without
work permits has increased the likelihood of indigenous
workers losing jobs to non-nationals.
At the 30th Heads of Government Conference in Georgetown
which ended this past weekend, CARICOM's Chairman Guyana
President Bharrat Jagdeo informed that household domestic
workers were added to the list of those qualified for
full free movement.
“Household domestics who have obtained the appropriate
qualification will be allowed to move with effect from
January 1st, 2010. However these workers will have to
possess a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) or
equivalent qualification to take advantage of the free
movement.”
All member states agreed to the inclusion of the new
category with the exception of Belize and Antigua &
Barbuda, which have both requested more time to assess
the impact on their respective economies. Antigua &
Barbuda was given a 5-year moratorium before the country
will be required to sign on to the agreement, during
which time it was proposed the CARICOM Secretariat would
complete a socio-economic impact study related to the
expansion of free movement categories.
Despite certain modification over the years, the free
movement of skills initiative originated in the 1989
Grand Anse Declaration and allowed a certain category
of workers the right to seek employment in any of the
15 member state with the elimination of the need for
work permits and permits of stay.
Free movement was to be implemented in phases with a
view to extend to all CARICOM nationals. The initial
category included graduates with at least a Bachelor's
Degree from a recognized university; media persons;
artists; musicians and sportspersons. Neither Minister
of Labour, Hon. Sam Condor nor the Permanent Secretary
in his Ministry, Osmond Petty could be reached to speak
to what if any negative effects the expansion of the
CSME free movement initiative could have on an increasingly
competitive local work market. |
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