Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley tonight sought to allay the fears and address questions being raised by Barbadians ahead of tomorrow’s start of Free Movement.
The agreement will be implemented in Barbados, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Belize, and nationals “will be able to move among these states with the right to live, to work without a work permit, and to study, on an indefinite basis”.
“Let me make it simple – those who are nationals of any of the other pioneering countries will present their passport when they arrive in Barbados. Immigration will record their entitlement to indefinite stay in our electronic system. The information is then shared securely with the national agencies that need to know, so that our visitors can move forward in an orderly way,” Mottley said.
“If they intend to reside and work here, the next steps are clear. They will be guided to register with the Ministry of Labour, with the National Insurance Scheme and with the Barbados Revenue Authority. They will also be directed with respect to national registration and obtaining national identification so that they can function as residents do—working lawfully, opening a bank account, paying statutory contributions, and doing the ordinary things of daily life with clarity. In other words, positively contributing to the social and economic fabric of Barbados.”
She said children would also be accommodated in schools via the Ministry of Educational Transformation. Additionally, these migrants will be permitted to access emergency and primary health care on the same terms as citizens, as is expected for Barbadians who move to those countries.
Mottley said jobs would not be “taken”. Rather, people would be employed where gaps existed, enabling businesses to serve more customers and take on more work. Additionally, incoming workers would not be exploited.
“The existing minimum wage regime will apply equally to those workers who come to Barbados under full free movement. We are in the process of expanding the human resource capacity of the Labour Department in order to effectively manage our current situation as well as our expected growth and to be able to appropriately police and enforce our labour laws.”
The Prime Minister said Barbados’ social services would also not be overwhelmed.
“Those who live and work here will register. They will pay contributions. They will pay income tax. They will be part of our planning. We will manage the numbers responsibly, as a Government should. The mere registration process allows us to have the statistical data required to plan.
Mottley said this free movement was the natural progression after permitting CARICOM nationals the ability to stay for six months, subject to established exceptions in law.
She warned it was also not a free for all nor an abandonment of border controls.
“It is not a license for professionals to operate in Barbados without adherence to the rules and regulations governing the practice of their professions. You cannot simply walk into Barbados and set up a practice. Freedom of movement does not remove the need for persons moving to comply with the legal requirements; the Professional Services Registration Act still must be followed,” she said.
“Lawyers for example will still need a valid practising certificate as will any professions regulated by the legislation. It is not a one-way arrangement that benefits others and leaves Barbadians behind. It is not a sudden leap into the unknown. It is measured. It is managed. It is ours.”
Mottley said the Barbados Government Information Service would be rolling out a full public information campaign.
“On the first of October, we move from dreaming to doing. We will open our doors with order and with pride. We will welcome our Caribbean family, and we will facilitate our sons and daughters moving to seek their own opportunities in our neighbours’ lands. We will guard our borders and we will guard our values. We will build an economy that grows because people contribute, not because fear controls,” Mottley said. (SAT)
