CARIBBEAN: More Immigrants...Antigua Accepting Skilled Caricom Nationals

MORE IMMIGRANTS...Antigua accepting skilled Caricom nationals
 
Friday August 08 2003
by Natlie S. Fleming


Antigua & Barbuda is already embracing skilled nationals from Caricom member 
states.

Commissioner Hesketh Williams points out that while the movement of skilled 
nationals took effect from 1 August, in the case of Antigua & Barbuda this 
went into effect from 1 Jan. 2002.

Williams said, however, that there were some teething problems and the 
Caricom Secretariat would be calling a meeting in Guyana to address the 
problems early next month.

"There are some teething problems that are being experienced such as the 
issue of communication between the Ministries of Labour and Immigration as to 
exactly how this certificate works, what are the implications of an 
individual holding such certificates, and the individual's status.

"One of the problems that needs to be work out is if the certificate can be 
used in any other Caricom member state or if it is just a matter of 
formalising the certificate. There are some countries that think that if 
Antigua for example issued one of its nationals with a certificate then when 
that individual travels to another country that country should not have to 
issue another certificate to go through the process again. This is one of the 
issues that will be discussed in Guyana next month," Williams said.

At the last Heads of Government meeting of Caricom member states in Jamaica a 
commitment was made by all governments to have the free movement of skilled 
nationals implemented as of 1 August. To date only two countries, St. 
Kitts/Nevis and Montserrat have not put the Act into operation.

Skilled persons under the act are now able to move freely within the other 
member territories. "Now this movement is not automatic but it comes after 
one would apply for a Caribbean Community Skilled National Recognition 
Certificate and that certificate makes it possible for the individual who 
qualifies along with spouse and children to move freely in and out of a 
member state without any restriction," said Williams. "Additionally it gives 
the holder of the certificate the right to own property and to obtain such 
property whether business or private, without any restriction.

"The only restriction such a holder certificate may have would be the same 
restrictions applying to nationals of the country. In terms of Antigua & 
Barbuda, we have put that into operation since January 2002 and to date some 
five nationals of other Caricom member states have been issued with 
certificates - and there are another five applications pending for 
certification."

The first such certificate was issued to Chelston Lee of Observer Radio.
 

SOURCE: Antigua Sun