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It ended with the government promising to investigate and remove all obstacles to the open “immigration policy”, but also highlighting the obligation of every foreigner or employer of foreigners to regularise their status, failing which they will be at the mercy of immigration authorities.
President Donald Ramotar, addressing the large turnout at the meeting, urged that they abide by the law and conduct legitimate businesses as the government through the Ministry of Home Affairs seeks to minimise delays regarding immigrations issues.
The President said the authorities will have zero tolerance with anyone who gets involved in illegal activities and he urged those attending the meeting yesterday not to break the laws of Guyana since government is fighting the narcotics trade while seeking to cooperate with neighbouring countries.
The Head of State said that the meeting is a very important one in which greater understanding between Guyana and foreign nationals residing, working and studying here can be achieved.
In recent times Guyana has been attracting an influx of foreign nationals from around the globe and Guyanese want to make them feel safe and comfortable as they operate their respective legitimate businesses locally.
The President outlined the many positive contributions the foreign nationals have made over time in enriching Guyanese culture and economy, among other things as he referred to the construction of the Marriott Hotel by the Chinese in which the pace of work was noted.
EMPLOY LOCALS
Ramotar pointed out that the foreigners working here are raising the bar but at the same time he encouraged them to abide with the labour laws and to employ locals.
The President said, “We value and appreciate the work you are doing here as we seek cooperation to strengthen our diversity.”
Ramotar stated that with globalisation there are a lot of foreign nationals who wish to set up schools in Guyana and he noted that it is a good thing in relation to investment.
He also spoke of the complaints he has received about foreign nationals in relation to work permits, naturalization and regularization, and efforts will be made to minimise the delays in these matters.
The President asked that the foreign nationals be patient with the immigration process when applying for naturalisation as efforts are made to simplify the process.
He urged also that the foreign nationals employ Guyanese in their businesses in order to integrate into the society and to learn the language so that they can communicate easily with locals.
Meanwhile, the President noted that foreign nationals receive the same level of services as Guyanese do at schools, hospitals and other institutions and he endorsed their efforts at development at the socio-economic levels in Guyana.
President Ramotar assured that the Government of Guyana is willing to assist the foreign nationals in whatever problems they are experiencing and at the same meeting he addressed some of the issues that were raised by several foreigners from Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana and China.
Several of them stood up during the question-and-answer segment to raise their concerns before President Ramotar and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.
Meanwhile, Minister Rohee in his address to the meeting yesterday highlighted the businesses foreign nationals are engaged in here and noted that there is an open immigration policy for CARICOM countries in which adjustments were made.
He explained that upon arrival in Guyana visas are granted and the new immigration policy is working well so far, and he urged foreign nationals to take advantage of it but noted that it is a service being provided and so a cost is attached.
Minister Rohee advised all foreign nationals to get regularised as they seek to have an extension of stay or work permits. He also called on them to work within the labour laws and treat their local workers in an acceptable manner.
INSTALL CCTV
The minister advised foreign nationals to install close circuit television cameras (CCTV) at their places of business as an added security measure, as he spoke of the Chinese and Brazilians being attacked and robbed within recent times.
He pointed out too that foreign nationals make up a diverse population of students here and advised that they too get registered since they are entitled to benefit from the Constitutional rights as Guyanese.
The Home Affairs Minister pointed out that foreign nationals are not being discriminated against and he declared that government has taken steps to ensure they are protected as well.
Also making remarks at the meeting yesterday was Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Limin and Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Angela Johnson.
