The slow progress of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) is one of the issues that will be addressed by a CARICOM mission to Dominica next week.
Ambassador to CARICOM Felix Gregoire said at a press conference on Thursday morning that “the CSME is progressing slowly and I’m sure that, that will be an issue.”
“The question of free movement will be an issue as well. At the OECS level, the free movement includes everybody once you are a citizen of the OECS you are free to move,” he said. “At this point in time, at the CARICOM level it is for skilled professionals.”
Gregoire explained that in order for an individual to move from one island to the next in search of employment, he/she must first get a skilled certificate and be a university graduate or a top sports personality or someone involved in culture.
The Ambassador also stated that the question of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is also more than likely to be addressed during the two days of consultation.
“The CCJ is a creature of CARICOM and the fact that few countries are taking advantage of the court of justice may become an issue as well,” he said.
According to Gregoire, the consultation is taking place as a response to directives from the heads of government to make CARICOM more effective.
At present, a reform process is ongoing at CARICOM level which will make the secretariat more efficient and also provide a new strategic plan for CARICOM.
The mission will seek to gain information from the public as to how they expect CARICOM to function.
The National Committee Regional Integration Task Force will also be visiting schools as of October 2.
Check that when we go to supermarkets in Dominica what do we see, is products from Trinidad, Barbados.Jamaica, Guyana, north and south America, Europe and China and tell me what does Dominica export to these countries apart from money so all of these titles given to so call diplomats is political Technics to maintain the status-quo
We must never forget that what goes around comes around. The Ambassador is doing his outmost to push the Regional Integration Movement for the benefit of all. I will support him in that noble exercise.
Time for him to retire , he has to be older than 65.
The headline suits the personality of this ambassador, he has no fast track record as head of the public service, everything under his watch was slow in coming or nonexistent
This gentleman is an ambassador?lord help Dominica.
i have been hearing about this for years,the truth is there is alot of predujice between the different islands,the ones that have do not want to be flooded by thous who dont have,this is the bottom line,if the Europe union had the same minds as us they would not exsist.it is time for the caribbean to be part of the developing world and stop been lazy and buring our heads in the sand, the price of progress is sacrifice.you can not make omelettes without breaking eggs.
Great point! So stop complaining when the Haitians come. Free movement not just for Dominicans but all Caribbean people.
It won’t happen because of 1. The politicians are controlled by influential people in their respective territories. It means that their powers will be taken from them. 2. Suddenly a Prime Ministers powers will be taken away from him/her. He she will be reduced to a junior minister. 3. Some territories think they are better off than others. 4. We still operate in a system that was left to us by the British with very little prospect of change in the near future while the world is changing……
glad the young people are seeing through those lazy incompetent x public officers..dat man retired long ago..he was never able to negotiate as cab sec..as PS but now he in OECS eating tax payers money with a pention an social security gratuity already on the table..my god..arent men like dat tired?
this really does not make sense. is either we want free movement or not. all these pre-requiste is non sense. if I want to study in that country?
We have a very long way go. The Caribbean is still very much divided. Nationals from smaller Islands are still being treated with disrespect at some of the Port of entries of the Greater Antilles. We must demand respect. Stop giving the poor the shorter end of the stick. Our skillful and degreed citizens are good enough for you, however, other citizens can still be subjected to deportation. Unacceptable! These countries with their lack of sympathy for the underprivileged are all guilty for the widening gap between the haves and have nots. Shame! Mr. Gregoire, remember one man can make a difference. We need Caribbean unity urgently!
Stupes!!
If the free movement is a problem amongst CARICOM, why dont the repective governments speed up up the process and make it happen?
These bureaucrats and politicians are a complete waste of time. The travel to the various islands, hold meetings, eat free food, drink free alcohol, collect their per diems and nothing happens.
especially those skerrit labour party people they take the people for granted but out they will go
They have free movement and the tax payer foots the bill.
sound like no work and all play. but you are right. the games played on Caribbean ppl.
This is such a waste of time article. I have been hearing of free movment within CARICOM since I was in high school. And that was many years ago.
We either want to unite and allow our people to move freely within these islands or we do not. It’s that simple.