Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore, has been outlining the conditions under which the government of Dominica will issue and renew work permits to Haitians.
Blackmoore’s announcement comes in the wake of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s announcement on the December 6 edition of his Anou Palay talk show that the government would, in the following weeks, begin regularization of work permits to Haitian nationals.
He said in a statement that government prides itself on its progressive policies of being welcoming to all and not opposed to the engagement of foreign nationals.
However, the minister stated that the government is also committed to ensuring that a proper process is put in place for the issuance and reissuance of work permits.
“A distinction is being drawn between registered businesses, self employed persons, farmers and persons wishing to hire in-home assistance, whether it is for help in the homes, yards or caretakers,” he said, adding that as of January 5th 2021, some conditions will apply regarding the issuance and renewal of work permits.
“In keeping with the law section 27.F as far as it is applicable, potential employers must show that he or she has advertised their position locally and are unable to get suitable Dominicans to fill the positions,” Blackmoore explained.
He said three newspaper clippings may need to be appended to all applications, return tickets may be required for the non-nationals, and persons who are self-employed will be required to produce proof of their businesses or proof of their livelihoods.
The minister said the Government of Dominica has been repeatedly demonstrating its commitment to the agricultural sector and in that regard will be flexible but those individuals who are taking up farming on whatever scale may be subject to a process of verification.
“Persons wishing to hire domestic and home assistance may also be required to provide some measure of proof,” he said. “Valid photo identification will be required of all applications.”
According to the National Security Minister, there is no intention to create unnecessary strain on small organizations or individuals but “there must remain a standard of best practice and transparency.”
He said application forms for work permits and work permit renewals are available at the Labour Division located at Government Headquarters in Roseau.
Meanwhile, pointing to the “unfortunate” reality of “a pool of dishonest persons,” Blackmoore cited what he said was evidence of some tampering of documents.
“There were instances of persons purporting to be employers making requests for permits on behalf of persons who were not legitimately employed,” he explained. “Therefore the government felt that it was of outmost necessity to review its approach to the issuance of work permits and to put systems in place to mitigate against abuse and to ensure that the existing laws are respected and complied with.”
He noted that the Immigration and Passport Amendment number 19 of 2003 section 27 to section 27-H provides the conditions under which the minister may grant work permits.
“As the minister, I wish to express my utmost confidence in the laws currently in existence,” Blackmoore stated. “It should be noted there are distinctions in how different categories of employers will be treated.”
They were supposed to go back home after the election but instead most of them stayed. What a shame. Another one of those famous policies that backfired. One day it will ALL come out in the wash.
Oh stop it, Whiteless! We are all aware of the alleged instructions by Skerro to the head of the Labour division about six years ago:” fix it”. A ” pool of dishonest persons”?? We all know that you are referring to the government of which you are a part.
And as a consultant to the French foreign ministry, I know that your hypocritical utterances are the result of the pressures emanating therefrom with regards to the ILLEGAL entry of Haitians into Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Martin.
So stop pretending like you are concerned and in charge; you KNOW you are not!
Dominica will soon suffer the consequences of the shady deals, unfortunately.
According to an article I read this morning, concerning LIAT, your pronouncements are nothing more than a”reorganization of the disorganisation”.
By the way, did you and Vince visitNecker Island not so long ago??!! Were the citizens informed?
HOTEP!
The headline suggests that there was never a proper process for the issuance and renewal of work permits. Sad, but im not surprised.
I can agree with a lot of what the minister is saying. We should hire foreign nationals to fill in positions that we can’t do ourselves. or for positions that we do not have enough people to fill in. We should also encourage foreign nationals to open businesses that are NOT in direct competition with local businesses. that creates diversity. And yes, for everything there is a process. Proper registration and proof of registration etc. we can no longer do things as we once did. root out corruption from all levels in the system. even from the highest point. the government.
reading this brings to mind the number of days I stand on my veranda about seven am seeing many Hattian young men with cutlass in hand, garden fork on shoulder. An hour later driving or walking in the village there are able bodied young men siting by the road near a rum shop in a known drug area where they can be found hours later but this Government instead of advising these people to pull up their boots follow the paths left by their parents and grand parents whose land has become forests by abandonment build free houses for them hoping to be reelected This is hand out from tax payers and hand up to politicians .
Exactly. No focus is put on our young men. Everything is for women. Our young men have become disenfhanchised. many see their only path out of the slum is through illegal activity. The rest see no path.
Why is this guy preaching to us on daily? Where is the chief spin doctor? Out of the country to do some serious Christmas shopping I suspect. Wonder where he gets all the money from to live this life style? An independent audit of the CBI accounts would give us all a clue…