Free Movement Game by Rickey Singh

FRI, JUNE 17, 2011 - 12:15 AM

OPPORTUNISM is a game that has special attraction for governing parties not only in our Caribbean region but one that’s quite appealing worldwide in the ebb and flow of political fortunes.

Several governments in our Caribbean Community, including Barbados, have been playing this game quite well when it comes to implementation of decisions to effect the Single Economy dimension of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), particularly in relation to freedom of movement of nationals.

The latest example appears to involve, surprisingly, the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Denzil Douglas.

None of the governments in the single economy project has ever considered it necessary to issue an official policy statement outlining its position on the phased implementation of the first

five, later extended to ten, categories of skilled CARICOM nationals who would be eligible to live and work in a Community state.

Although the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas provides the legal foundation of the CSME, excuses, apologies, lack of positive action have been the norm when it comes

to instituting relevant policies.

Contrary to what was alluded to in a June 12 Sunday Sun article CSME in hindsight, no government of CARICOM has ever promised what any sensible Community citizen ever seriously expected – “the opening of doors to all (my emphasis) CARICOM nationals who wish to live in the country under the original freedom of movement regional plan . . .”.

Truth is, there never was such an agreed policy.

Read full article here.