CARICOM Leaders Agree to Free Movement of People by 2024
Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders ended their three-day summit in Trinidad Wednesday night, agreeing to have the free movement of all categories of people by March 2024.
Previously, under the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, persons, skills and labour across the region, the Caricom governments allowed for the free movement of media workers, artistes, musicians, sports persons, nurses, teachers, artisans with a Caribbean Vocational Qualification and holders of Associate Degrees or comparable qualification.
Veteran journalist, Peter Richards, who works for the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) and covered the Summit, appeared on the Breakfast Show Thursday morning to give feedback on the 45th CARICOM Heads meeting.
He reported that the most interesting and most important decision coming out of the summit was the agreement by regional heads to implement the free movement of all categories of people by March next year.
The arrangement however does not extend to Haiti.
Prime Minister, Dr Ariel Henry, had asked that the country be excused from the arrangement, given the humanitarian, social and political crisis in the French-speaking Caribbean country.
Caricom chairman and Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit told a news conference that there are obviously some legal issues that they have to examine.
He states that their legal people have been given some months to examine those issues and to ensure that they report back by March 30th to take a definitive position on this.
Meantime, in addition to the free movement, the issue of contingent rights and other initiatives will also be examined to provide access to primary health and emergency health, access to basic education, and pre-primary and secondary education.
Veteran Journalist Peter Richards there rounding up the important outcomes of the just concluded 45th CARICOM Heads of government Summit which was held in Trinidad.