THE GOVERNMENT’S intention, as announced on Friday by President Bharrat Jagdeo, to assist in the “re-settlement” of Guyanese being subjected to unfair and undignified treatment in a few CARICOM states, including Barbados, could well evolve into a new and imaginative project.

One, that is, to attract Guyanese of the Caribbean Diasporas in North America and Europe and the Caribbean region as a whole to return home and help in advancing the process of national reconstruction with their acquired skills and expertise.

We have previously argued that like nationals of other CARICOM states and the wider world, Guyanese are also influenced into seeking the so-called ‘greener pastures’ by relocating to foreign lands. Some have done comparatively very well for themselves and families. Others have not been that fortunate.

While remittances from CARICOM nationals have proved most useful to regional economies like Jamaica, Guyana and quite a few in the Eastern Caribbean, those nationals who have remained at home, “through thick and thin,” as the local saying goes, deserve praise for their perseverance and contributions — against the odds.

To make a success of any re-settlement project to facilitate the return home of Guyanese, from wherever currently located, it would need two hands to clap:

One by the affected nationals in those jurisdictions where they are now being made to feel unwelcome — and not only as a consequence of claimed illegal immigrant status; the other by the home government in the shaping of a realistic package.

These could include, in the first instance, exemptions from customs duties for motor vehicles, furniture and other household articles, for which relevant documents must be produced; as well as incentives to help them relocate in areas based on mutual understanding, and access to land for farming and housing.

Of course, a balance has to be struck to guard against disadvantaging Guyanese who have resisted voting with their feet in hopes of improving their livelihoods abroad, and those who have felt compelled to remain at home and made adjustments to share in the country’s social and economic progress.

The issue of re-settling Guyanese immigrants is one, in our judgment, that requires consultations not just between government and the parliamentary opposition. It must also involve the private sector, labour unions and established non-governmental organisations.

Their inputs could help in devising a realistic re-settlement programme for Guyanese wishing to return home, or being forced out of regional and extra-regional jurisdictions by unfair and, in some instances, despicable practises.

President Jagdeo, who will next month host the 30th Heads of Government Conference, is understandably anxious to keep the lid on brewing discontent within CARICOM, including the very sensitive issue of the disgusting treatment by Guyanese, both on their arrival at some regional airports and, worse, the discrimination and humiliation they suffer in those countries by immigration authorities.

The reality is that this issue has now become too hot to ignore, and must be candidly discussed and wisely resolved at the coming CARICOM Summit.