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Friday, February 28, 2014
The National Assembly has approved legislation amending the Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) Act that will allow the spouses and dependants of the people who hold the CARICOM Skills certificate to enter and work in Guyana.
Parliament unanimously approved the amendment tabled by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Thursday and it is said they are seeking to further amend that Act to allow an even greater and better sense of belonging by CARICOM nationals, by allowing the spouse and dependant family members of the principal Act to be accorded similar rights as those granted to the principal beneficiaries, holder of the Caribbean skilled national certificate.
One of the amendments allows for applications to be made to the minister responsible for Foreign Affairs to have a beneficiary's certificate verified and once it meets the requirements, the holder of the certificate can apply to remain in Guyana for a period of indefinite duration. The amendment also sets the parameters for the Minister to disregard a certificate, not-withstanding verification, if the holder has been found to be convicted of certain offences.
At present, the confirmation process takes up to six months and CARICOM nationals are given six months to remain in the country. There are currently no provisions that allow a national to work whilst the certificate is being verified but the amendment would allow it.
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