CARICOM & Employment

Avis MatthiasHyacinth GordonCelia B. Seaton

ObjectivesAt the end, viewers should be able to discuss the following:

• What is CARICOM?• History of CARICOM• Name most of CARICOM’s member states• What are the functions of CARICOM?• Role of the CSME• How has CARICOM impacted employment in the Caribbean?• How has CARICOM impacted education in the Caribbean?• What are your views on the future of CARICOM?

What is CARICOM

• It is the Acronym for the Caribbean Community and

Common Market.

• CARICOM was formally established on August 1, 1973.

• Its main function is to form a common market zone for all

its members.

History of CARICOM

• The West Indies Federation was formed in 1958 and came to

an end in 1962.

• Jamaica and Trinidad became independent August 1962 and

had power to control their own issues.

• Trinidad proposed the idea of a body that would integrate not

just the ten previous members but all the Caribbean Islands.

History of CARICOM

• The first Heads of Government Conference was held in

July1963.

• Four Caribbean countries discussed the need for cooperation

with Europe, Africa and Latin America.

• In 1965 a free trade area was established as a result.

• This was called CARIFTA. Caribbean Free Trade Association.

History of CARICOM• In 1972 CARIFTA was transformed to

CARICOM.

• CARICOM was formally established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas on August 1, 1973.

• Eight other Caribbean countries joined on July 4, 1983.

• CARICOM has five associate members.

CARICOM Member States• Antigua and Barbuda

• The Bahamas• Barbados• Belize• Dominica• Grenada• Guyana• Jamaica

• Montserrat• Saint Lucia• St. Kitts & Nevis• St. Vincent & the

Grenadines• Suriname• Trinidad & Tobago

CARICOM Associate Members • Anguilla• Bermuda• British Virgin Islands• Cayman Islands• Turks and Caicos Islands

CARICOM’S Mission Statement

To provide dynamic leadership and service, in partnership with Community institutions and Groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all.

Functions Of CARICOM

• To provide assistance to all states which are members and to resolve any problems which may arise.

• Coordinate foreign policies across all nations and

promote general economic advancement

Functions of CARICOM

• Initiate or develop proposals for consideration and decision by the relevant organizations.

• Initiate, organize and conduct studies.

• Provide, on request, services to member states on community-related matters.

Functions of CARICOM

• Assist community organizations in the development and

implementation of proposals and programmes. • Mobilize resources from donor agencies to assist in the implementation of community programmes.

• Prepare the draft work programme and budget of the secretariat for examination by the budget committee.

Functions of CARICOM

• Collect, store and disseminate relevant information to Member States

• Provide, on request, technical assistance to national authorities to facilitate implementation of community decisions

• Conduct, as mandated, fact-finding assignments in

Member States

The Role of the CSME

• CSME- Caribbean Single Market and Economy

• The CSME is designed to represent a single economic space within which people, goods, services and capital can move freely.

• It will require the harmonisation and coordination of social, economic, and trade policies among the participating member states.

The Role of the CSME

• The CARICOM single market and economy (CSME) is the platform from which the Caribbean and associated states deal with the challenges of globalization.

EMPLOYMENT OF CARICOM NATIONALS

CARICOM Skilled Persons Act

• The Act was designed to facilitate the free movement of Caribbean professionals within the Caribbean region

•Came into effect in July 1997.

Persons qualified under the Act

• University graduates• Media practitioners• Musicians• Sports persons• Managers• Technical and supervisory staff attached to a

company or a self-employed person

Amendment to the Act

• The Act was amended in Jamaica 2013 to include;•Household helpers•Nurses • Teachers•workers holding specific

categories of vocational qualifications.

Certificate of Recognition

• A document called "A Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skilled Person" is issued to persons who qualify under the Act. This come under the purview of the Ministry of Labour (Jamaica)

Documents needed for Certificate of Recognition• Certificate of Recognition from home state.• A certified copy of the University Degree(*).• A certified copy of birth certificate.• A deed poll/or other document to support name change, if any.

Certificate of Recognition

• Documents needed for Certificate of Recognition cont’d• Three (3) certified passport size photographs.• Copy of the relevant pages of passport

showing name, nationality, and passport number.

• Indicate martial status and occupation.• Letter requesting certificate• Contact telephone number

Registration for some professionals to work in Jamaica• Engineers – Professional Engineering

Board• Doctors – The Medical Council of Jamaica• Veterinarians – Veterinary Division (MOA)• Nurses – Nursing Council of Jamaica

Jamaicans Dominate CARICOM Skills Certification

•

Jamaicans Dominate CARICOM Skills Certification

• Reports from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security are that the majority of those who apply for skills certificates are Jamaicans. • In 2013, 442 skills certificates were issued

to CARICOM nationals with Jamaicans accounting for 411 of that number

Skills Certificates Issued by Jamaica to Jamaica and other CARICOM Countries• 2,608, were awarded over the last six years;• Jamaica - 1,792• Trinidad and Tobago - 295.• Guyana – 195• Barbados – 128• St Vincent and the Grenadines – 36• Antigua and Barbuda – 35• St Lucia – 29• St Kitts and Nevis – 26• Belize – 21• Dominica – 20• Grenada – 14• Montserrat – 7• Suriname – 6• Haiti - 4. - Jamaica To Amend CARICOM Skills Law. (May 23, 2013) Retrieved September 17,

2014, from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130523/business/business1.html

Work Permit• The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is

responsible for the administration of the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act and the Caribbean Community Free Movement of Skilled Persons Act

• Should all Caricom members seeking employment in Jamaica be holders of a work permit?

How has CARICOM impacted employment in the Caribbean?

How has CARICOM impacted education in the Caribbean?

What are your views on the future of CARICOM?

References• Hornbeck, J. F., CARICOM: Challenges and Opportunities for

Caribbean Economic Integration, January 7, 2008. Retrieved fromhttp://www.sice.oas.org/TPD/CAR_EU/Studies/CRSCARICOM_Challenges_e.pdf

• The effects of globalization on CARICOM Caribbean economies. Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/0/10030/globalization-chap11.pdf

References• Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME). (2006).Retrieved

September 17, 2014, from http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.php?artid=43

• The Role and Importance of CSME. (2006). Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://www.caribbeanjobs.com/careers/page/page/The-role-and-importance-of-CSME.aspx

• Jamaica To Amend CARICOM Skills Law. (May 23, 2013) Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130523/business/business1.html

References• Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://jis.gov.jm/job-

opportunities-caricom-nationals/

• Jamaicans dominate CARICOM skills certification. (January 31, 2014).Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Jamaicans-dominate-CARICOM-skills-certification

• Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://careerjamaica.com/working-overseas/caricom-faq-s

References• Jamaica Implements Fee Structure for CARICOM Skills

Certificate, Jamaica Gleaner (January 31, 2014). Retrieved September 16, 2014 from http://jis.gov.jm/jamaica-implements-fee-structure-caricom-skills-certificate/