The Acting Prime Minister in Antigua and Barbuda Steadroy Cutie Benjamin is urging
employers in the twin island state to hire Dominicans who fled their country following
Hurricane Maria.
Businesses are not obligated to employ them but Benjamin said in an interview with the Antigua OBSERVER that once there are vacancies in place and persons from the OECS apply for the job, they should be considered. In fact, Benjamin said “the employer is under obligation to select who is best for the job”.
Under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, OECS nationals are allowed to
move freely within member states.
The free movement of skills entails the right to seek employment in any member state and the elimination of the need for work permits and permits of stay. The acting prime minister said Antigua and Barbuda signed unto the treaty, making it obligated to provide stay, employment and protection of laws for all OECS nationals. There have been negative comments in the past that non-nationals, especially
Dominicans are attempting to take up the jobs.
But Benjamin has said that Antiguans and Barbudans travel to other neighboring islands like Dominica and St Lucia and they would not like to be treated this way. The acting prime minister said he is also aware that there are cases of discrimination among non-nationals.
Following Hurricane Maria, a group was directed to present a fixed set of policies that would apply to all of those who are leaving Dominica for Antigua and to plan the reception of those OECS/ Dominican citizens who may choose Antigua as a place of residence. In that policy, Dominicans were given the right of entry into Antigua and an automatic six-month stay.
Over 300 students are already placed in schools in Antigua and a database shows that close to 2500 persons have been registered. The government had said that they expected a higher influx of Dominicans but they opted to remain on the nature island to help in the rebuilding process.
On September 18, Hurricane Maria decimated Dominica, destroying infrastructure and killing several people.
@ lmcoy, I don’t trust these politicians you know. Why he waited until PM Brown is out of town to show some love to Dominicans? You think he did not know what we all know now about their tourism Minister and used the situation in Dominica to divert attention of the people?
your point is useless considering that MP Benjamin mad his appeal DAYS BEFORE the tourism Minister even traveled to the UK.
ONE LOVE!
We care how
can we best help?
Thankyou Mr Benjamin for your kindness towards us. Sir, I’ve been to Antigua 3 times and the visit was ok I spend 20 years away in another country and i’m back home now. I’ve learn the had ways when things good stand firm, when things go bad stand firm, good luck Dominicans and enjoy your stay in Waddali.
Benjamin sees a fresh and very productive workforce to drive Antigua forward. I’m surprised they didn’t get a stipend
We still have not been told by our government how many people were killed as a result of Maria. Is this incompetence or simply a continuation of their practice of hiding the truth. Same after Erika, I’m still waiting to see a full list oof the names of the victims of that disaster. We are bombarded almost every day with government releases but noting is said of the tragedies on the ground in our island. People who died because of lack of medical care and medicines, the status of their cherished approved CBI projects like Jungle Bay. The delay, at best of the opening of the Kempinski resort etc. that were to provide job opportunities.
The status of our CBI programme. Will people continue to buy our passports after what happened. Skerrit is silent on all these matters that are crucial to us.
Its still too early to tell. Just the other day they found a body buried under rubble.
Besides! Is this really the most important thing at this time? Why does everything have to be political.
Have you done your share to help? OR are you just wondering how many are dead?
But @UK what about if those that died during Maria get resurrected on election day? Don’t forget the dead can vote so no need to say how many died and give names of the deceased. But very sensible point though @ UK
Antigua and Barbuda have their own hurricane related problems to deal with so Mr Benjamin is to be commended for his compassionate and timely words. Hopefully all the countries that have suffered from the damages caused by the hurricanes will rebound quicker than expected and will be better prepared for future hurricanes or other forms of disasters.