When CARICOM formed over four decades ago it had a noble goal in mind — to deepen integration so that the islands’ individual strengths could uplift the region as a whole. Four decades later and fractures have appeared in that united front. Deep division over the role of the Caribbean Court of Justice, condemnation from some quarters about Haiti’s admission to membership, and the uneven political power of smaller islands versus their larger neighbours have all resulted in a community that faces serious challenges.
One of the most contentious issues on the table is the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) which came into being in 2006 and to which Saint Lucia is a signatory alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The CSME allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the Caribbean Community. A cornerstone of CARICOM, the ability of skilled professionals and workers to move unhindered around the Caribbean member states is designed to facilitate business, generate economic opportunities and allow for improved technical and training capacity across the region.
The policy proved contentious, greeted with approval in some states but horror in others. And the debate is still raging, making the Caribbean very much in keeping with the times. Heading into election year, the United States has seen immigration become one of the primary political battlegrounds while in Europe free movement of people was one of the major issues for voters in Britain as they ushered in Brexit.
Naysayers
One of the most vocal critics of the CSME’s freedom of movement provisions is The Bahamas which has steadfastly rejected joining the single market despite remaining a member of CARICOM. Chief among the country’s concerns is the fear that its 400,000 population could not sustain an influx of workers from other nations, in particular Haiti which has a long and difficult history of illegal immigration into the Bahamian archipelago.
The Bahamas is not alone in its caution. While all Caribbean states recognise the value of liberalised trade, the free movement of people is often met with scepticism as wary nations cite concerns over immigration, employment and security. Even those nations who are a part of the CSME baulk at the thought of a stream of workers crossing their borders. At a recent inter-sessional meeting held in St Kitts and Nevis, two members requested (and were granted) a five-year deferral on the provocative policy.
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley told a press conference after the meeting that the sticking point for those countries was their size relative to the rest of the Caribbean and the fear that their populations would be swamped. He declined to confirm which states received the deferral but authorities in Antigua and Barbuda signalled that they were one of the two.
The two defectors were likely motivated by a recent expansion of the free movement policy. In December CARICOM leaders adopted the St Ann’s Declaration which states that countries should move towards full freedom of movement within the next three years and widens the ‘skilled workers’ category to include agricultural workers, beauty service practitioners, barbers and security guards. The existing provisions already applied to university graduates, musicians, artists, media professionals, sportspeople, nurses, teachers and technicians.
Practical problems
Even supporters of the freedom of movement enshrined in the CSME would admit that there are problems implementing the provisions on the ground. Translating the policy from regulation to reality has been far from seamless.In theory a skills certificate issued by one CSME member country should be recognised in all member states, allowing workers to pass from one jurisdiction to another without the time and expense of acquiring new qualifications or translating their existing documentation.
In practice, cumbersome bureaucracy and inefficiencies within the public service from island to island have hampered progress. For example, Guyana has long complained that its skills certificate, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has not been recognised in Trinidad and Tobago. Elsewhere, CARICOM has seen poor implementation with some countries failing to recognise some worker categories.
And the skills certificate system is far from secure, with a recent report from the CARICOM Secretariat showing that corruption and fraud is rife among applicants. Around 168 fraudulent certificates have been detected or seized by authorities to date. All but one of these fake certificates were held by Jamaicans and submitted in six member states, including Saint Lucia.
It can be difficult to track skills certificate holders. Policies such as free movement require adoption at both the regional and country levels and efforts by CSME members to harmonise their domestic legislation with regional practices has put a burden on island nations’ resources.
The future of free movement
The recent expansion of categories within the movement of skilled workers is a clear indication that the policy is here to stay. CARICOM is resolute in pushing ahead with the CSME and is adamant that the teething problems are worth the end result. With renewed commitment to economic integration the community is focusing on compliance as it moves forward.
Welcoming its Caribbean cousins is nothing new to Saint Lucia, which has been permitting citizens of the Eastern Caribbean to live and work unhindered within its borders for almost a decade. In 2011 Saint Lucia and five other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) officially adopted their own free movement policy. This type of freedom of movement (done in a sub-region and on a smaller scale) is a largely positive development which has enhanced business, increased job opportunities and allowed members to share skills and capacities.
Taking the concept to the entire region is a step too far for some, and it remains to be seen whether CARICOM can iron out the issues encountered so far. The topic was up for discussion at the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting held in Guyana 29-30April, 2019. COTED gave an update on CSME implementation so far and shared plans on enhanced security and verification strategies in relation to skills certificates.
