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Sunday, February 2, 2014
Despite constant complaints from several circles in Jamaica about mistreatment and denial of entry at the ports of several CARICOM countries, including Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, reports from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security are that the majority of those who apply for skills certificates are Jamaicans.
The skills certification validates an individual's proficiency allowing CARICOM nationals to seek employment in any member state. In 2013, 442 certificates were issued with Jamaicans holding 441 of them. This free movement of skills entails the "right to seek employment in any member state and the elimination of the need for work permits and permits of stay". It was agreed that CARICOM nationals who are university graduates, should be allowed to move freely in the region for work purposes. The universities recognized under the Act are the University of the West Indies, the University of Technology, Northern Caribbean University, Mico University College, the University of Guyana and the University of Suriname. It was expanded the categories of people allowed free movement for work purposes to include artistes, sports persons, musicians, and media workers.
Currently, free movement of these categories is in place in all member states, except Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis.
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