THE Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) (Amendment) Bill 2014 was passed unanimously in the National Assembly, yesterday, following a move for its reading by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

And the minister noted that the Bill’s passage makes Guyana the first in the Caribbean Region to pass such legislation, which Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States are all required to enact.
She stressed that this move sends a signal that Guyana maintains the lead and is setting a trend relative to its commitment to regional integration.
The Bill amends the 1996 Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) Act and now allows for spouses of the certified persons to be able to work in the same country, allows the certified person to apply to the subject minister to verify his or her certificate, and allows the certified person to work while his certificate is being verified – a process that takes up to six months.
Rodrigues-Birkett made it clear that this step by the National Assembly assists Guyana in meeting its obligations under regional agreements.

RECIPROCAL ACTION
The minister also acknowledged the need for reciprocal actions in other CARICOM countries, in the interest of advancing regional integration.
She stated that the issue of free movement evokes different reactions by different grouping, particularly when it comes to the question of equitable treatment across the Region.
Rodrigues-Birkett said Guyanese nationals have complained of discriminatory treatment and stressed that the current Administration has highlighted these incidents and made representations for the Guyanese people.
“Insularity exists, but we must not cease to ensure that the integration movement benefits all people,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
The minister referenced the Shanique Myrie judgment and stated that this set a precedence for action in areas where “insularity” exists.
Last year, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled in favour of Jamaican Shanique Myrie, who alleged that she was discriminated against because of her nationality when she arrived in Barbados on March 14, 2011.
The 25-year-old also said she was subjected to a de-humanising body-cavity search and placed in an unsanitary cell before being deported the next day to Jamaica.
The Barbados Government denied the claims and argued at the trial that Myrie had been untruthful to immigration officials.
Myrie wanted the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment for CARICOM citizens moving within the Region under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. She asked the CCJ to award her almost US$500,000 in punitive damages for the treatment she received on her visit to Barbados. She also wanted the regional court to award costs and special damages.
Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that work must not cease towards advancing the regional integration movement to benefit the Guyanese people.
The minister said, “Guyana is striving ahead to meet its obligations.”

OPPOSITION SUPPORT
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) both expressed support for the Bill.
APNU’s Africo Selman noted that her party’s support is premised on the fact that free movement of certified persons and their families are key to development of a common market.
AFC Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes endorsed the Bill and pointed out that the challenges Guyana faces with ‘brain drain’ can be countered with the incentive for foreign nationals to work in Guyana and have their dependents with them.
After expressions of support, the Bill was considered in the Committee of Supply, clause by clause, and passed.