–CARICOM readies locals for ‘free movement’ under CSME 

LOCAL stakeholders were on Wednesday sensitised on the importance of an effective labour market information system to the free movement of skills among Caribbean member states.
The exercise, in the form of a two-day workshop, was hosted by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at, and in conjunction with, the Ministry of Social Protection on Water and Cornhill Streets.
Outlining the objective of the programme at hand, Assistant Chief Labour Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Ms Lydia Greene said:
“Our world resolves [sic] around statistics, and specifically in the context of the free movement of people, a labour market information system is critical, as it aids informed decision-making, critical to solving many problems we face.”
She told participants that it is with the foregoing in mind that they were being trained to operate a system that will provide policy makers with the requisite statistics to enhance the mobility of skills in a common space.
They were also encouraged not to lose sight of the fact that statisticians and technical personnel can not only offer essential insight into determining which data and conclusions are reliable, but also help map trends and guide progress.
This, Greene said, is also a part of a move afoot to bring Guyana one step closer to ensuring that it achieves the critical aspiration of the free movement of skills within the region.
“It is not just critical to the needs of Guyana,” she said, “but to the functionality of Guyana as a CARICOM partner that embraces the free movement of skills, and to enhance our relations with sister countries that have signed onto this important treaty to promote free movement.”
Participants in the two-day exercise were drawn from the Departments of Statistics, Finance, Planning, Health, Education and Social Security, as well as trade unions and employer organisations among other public and private sector entities.
Earlier this year, Minister of Social Protection, Ms Volda Lawrence called on CARICOM member states to ensure that there are no discriminatory acts meted to persons seeking to take advantage of the privileges within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
She’d also urged that each member state commits to and ensures that workers are respected. “There must be fair treatment of workers, without regard to nationality, socio-background or race,” she said, adding:
“These principles are crucial to any effort at enhancing the competitiveness and productivity of our regional workforce.”
According to Ms Greene, “Creating an effective labour market information system would provide critical data to measure the progress the Ministry is making with regard to implementing the CSME; identify their strengths and weaknesses; aid job seekers and employers; and facilitate information sharing to concerned parties.”