-Heads agree to delay full implementation of free movement of skills
-to set up a task force to address effects of global financial meltdown
CARICOM HEADS have agreed that the time is not yet ripe for the full implementation of the free movement of nationals within the region; that it is well nigh impossible for some countries to
achieve this right now; and that their best course of action is to establish a task force to chart the way forward in light of the present global financial downturn.
Briefing the media following two days of heavy discussions among the leaders at the International Conference Centre here at Liliendaal, on the lower East Coast, Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo, who presently serves as CARICOM Chairman, besides concurring that free movement was not feasible at this juncture, a view that was earlier expressed by colleague Head, Barbados Prime Minister, Mr David Thompson, said the issue of contingent rights had been taken into account in arriving at their decision, as was the deleterious effects the present global financial situation has had on some countries within the Community.

Quoting from the Declaration to support their unified stance, Mr Jagdeo said: “The conference reaffirmed the goal of free movement of persons as expressed in Article 45 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to recognise that free movement is an essential element of the CSME, but given the current global and economic financial crisis, its full implementation at this point in time will be challenging for some member states.”

And in light of recent developments in Barbados with regards to undocumented immigrants, and the sometimes inhumane treatment meted out to them in some quarters, Mr Jagdeo said Heads also reaffirmed that migration is a human right, though circumscribed by domestic law, but that in the spirit of the Treaty of Chaguaramas and the tenets of international law, demand that all migrants be treated humanely.

On the issue of free movement of skilled nationals, Mr. Jagdeo said that the conference agreed to grant Antigua and Barbuda an exemption with regard to non-graduate teachers and nurses, but concurred that countries must put in place the necessary arrangements to issue the certificate of recognition of CARICOM skilled qualifications to CARICOM nationals who are eligible to move freely within the region.

The conference decided too that household domestics who have obtained the appropriate qualifications will be allowed to move with ease from January 1, 2010. However, with respect to this category, it was agreed that Antigua and Barbuda will be given a five-year derogation on the free movement of the new category of household domestics, President Jagdeo said.

He said this decision was taken so as to allow that country to make the necessary adjustments to its infrastructure and other imperatives to facilitate the fulfilment of its Treaty obligations with respect to free movement of skills.

President Jagdeo pointed out that the initiatives mapped out in the declaration is a clear indication that the region is serious about its obligations and about moving forward.

On the issue of the global financial crisis and the region’s response to it, Mr. Jagdeo said it was agreed to have a task force set up to assess the medium and long-term focus of the development strategies.

He asserted that many of the countries within the region have been adversely affected by this crisis, and that given this, it was recognised that the region will have to do a series of things but that some of them would have to be done very urgently.

“That is to mobilise resources for these countries, if they don’t have emergency assistance, their situation may become catastrophic for some of these countries,” the President posited.

The task force, which will be headed by Guyana, will comprise Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Edwin Carrington as well as several technical people to start taking action in this regard.

It will be the mandate of the Task Force to detail the situation of all of these countries, and States will be required to disclose their separate plan of action of tackling the financial crisis so that the task force will be able to work with them with their own plan to mobilise more resources, Mr. Jagdeo pointed out.

The issue of Crime and Security also dominated the two closed-door sessions, and according to Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Patrick Manning, the Heads agreed to tackle the rising incidences of gang activities and violence throughout the region, as well as the continued humbug of Caribbean countries, that of the trafficking in illegal weapon and drugs.