Sistema Económico Latinoamericano y del Caribe Latin American and Caribbean Economic System Sistema Econômico Latino-Americano e do Caribe Système Economique Latinoaméricain et Caribéen

II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean Caracas, Venezuela 18 July 2008 SP/RRDSIALC/Di 7-08

Social Integration in the Caribbean Community Sandra Plummer Deputy Programme Manager Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)

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CARICOM SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN THE CARIBBEAN

COMMUNITY

Panel Presentation at II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension

of Integration in Latin America and The Caribbean

by

Sandra PlummerCaribbean Community Secretariat

Caracas,VenezuelaJuly 18 ,2008

CARICOM FORMAT OF PRESENTATION

•BACKGROUND OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM)

•BACKGROUND ON THE CARIBBEAN SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)

•REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN SOCIAL AREAS: HEALTH, EDUCATION , EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING

•POSSIBLE AREAS OF CARICOM-LA CO-OPERATION

CARICOM

Longstanding Vision of Regional Cooperation and Integration

Regional Cricket Team to England1928

Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA)1968

Political Federation (-1962)1958

Regional University - UCWI1948

Caribbean Community and Common Market1973

Decision to establish the CSME1989

Entry into force of the Revised Treaty2006

CARICOMMember States of the

Caribbean Community

• Antigua & Barbuda• Bahamas• Barbados• Belize• Dominica• Grenada• Guyana• Haiti

• Jamaica• Montserrat• Saint Kitts & Nevis• Saint Lucia• St Vincent and the

Grenadines• Suriname• Trinidad and

Tobago

Main Pillars of the Community

1Economic Integration

(including the CSME)

2Functional andSocial

Cooperation3Foreign PolicyCoordination

With a security underpinning

CARICOM

Governance and Decision Making Structure

The principal Organs of the Community

(a) the Conference of Heads of Government(b) the Community Council of Ministers

Principal Organs assisted by the following Organs:

(a) The Council for Finance and Planning(b) The Council for Trade and Economic Development(c) The Council for Foreign and Community Relations (d) The Council for Human and Social Development(e) The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement

and serviced byThe CARICOM Secretariat, headed by the Chief Executive

Officer (CEO) of the Community, the Secretary General

CARICOMThe CSME

A single enlarged economic space

Macro-

economic and

sectoral

policy

coordination

Functionalcooperation

Free movement of goods, services, capital, technology,

labour

Common externaltrade policy

Non- discriminatoryaccess to the region’s resources & markets for CARICOM

nationals

The Single Market

CARICOM

Building, out of separate national economies, a single, integrated, globally competitive, modern market economy within an economic space called the CSME

CSME - The Context

In deciding to establish the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), The Heads of Government noted the

‘need to work expeditiously together to deepen the integration process and strengthen the Caribbean Community in all of its dimensions to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by the global economy’

CARICOMThe CSME

Full employment of labour and other factors of production

Improved standards of living and work

Accelerated. co-ordinated and sustained economic development

Increased economic leverage and effectiveness vis a vis other states, groups of states and entities

Expected OutcomesGreater opportunities for employment, investment, production and trade for Caribbean people

Competitive products of better quality and prices

Improved services provided by enterprises and individuals

Greater opportunity for travel for nationals to study and work in CARICOM countries

Framework

CARICOMThe Single Market

Single Market Policy Framework is in place

Regimes exist for :

Free intra-CARICOM movement of goods

Intra-CARICOM trade accounts for nearly 20% of merchandise exports and 12% of merchandise imports

Free intra-CARICOM trade in services

Right of establishmentAccess to land

Free movement of capital and skills

CARICOM

The CSME facilitates a collective approach to trade relations with third countries

New market opportunities

Collective negotiation of trade rules and agreements

Negotiation to attract new investment and joint ventures

Collective defense of economic interests in the global marketplace

CARICOM

LegalArchitectureof the CSME

The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas

Inter-governmental Agreements

Implementation of harmonisedlaws, regulations, orders and rules

Dispute Settlement Regime

Enforcement under Domestic Law

Enforcement under the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

January 2006 - The CSM became operational; six Member States signed the Agreement

January 2006 - The CSM became operational; six Member States signed the Agreement

January 2006 - Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas entered into force through ratification by twelve Member States

January 2006 - Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas entered into force through ratification by twelve Member States

- The Bahamas is not a part of the CSM- Haiti is not yet a member of the CSM- Montserrat is awaiting entrustment

- The Bahamas is not a part of the CSM- Haiti is not yet a member of the CSM- Montserrat is awaiting entrustment

July 2006 – Six other Member States signed the AgreementJuly 2006 – Six other Member States signed the Agreement

CARICOM

Specialised Institutions and Structures

CARICOM Development Fund and Development Agency

Regional Accreditation Agency for Education and Training

Competition Commission

Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality

Caribbean Court of Justice

Caribbean Agriculture Health and Food Safety Agency

Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery

CARICOM

CSME

The CSME - providing a platform and enabling environment for a more effective interface with the global economy

CARICOMCARICOM Development Fund

To promote cohesion and to counter polarization discrepancies and anti-convergence tendencies and asymmetries

To foster and support economic transformation to enhance competitivenessin the global economy

To compensate for the adverse effects of trade distortion and economic dislocation arising during intra-CARICOM integration process

CARICOMCARICOM Development Fund (2)

Initial capitalisation of US 250M

US$120M to be provided by Member StatesUS$130M to be raised from development partners

Expected to be operational by mid 2007

Assistance in the form of loans, grants and interest subsidy grants

CARICOM Regional Development Agency

Operationalisation of the CARICOM Development Fund to be complemented with the establishment of a Regional Development Agency (RDA)

Purpose: - to identify and mobilise technical assistance,“to assist disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors towards becoming economically viable and competitive by appropriate interventions of a transitional or temporary nature”

Agency expected to become operational within the next year

Proposals for the establishment of the Agency currently being elaborated

CARICOM Challenges

Need to improve standard of living

Significant geopolitical and geo-strategic shifts

Imperative of optimising development potential of the Region

Need for Improved management of the regional environment

Crime and security, disaster management

CARICOM The Human Face of the CSME

The CSME is anchored in the skills, abilities, attitudes, perceptions, motivations and expectations of people

The extent to which the provisions translate into real opportunities depends on the adequate development of our Human Resources

An informed public which understands and supports the CSME and participates actively in the CSME

Stronger sense of Community and greater social cohesion

Key Desired Outputs

CARICOMHuman Resource Development

HRD - An iterative process involving

Development of human capital

Efficient use of human capital

Preparation for involvement in life of the Community at all levels

Elements of the Regional Agenda

Refocusing and harmonisationof systems for education and training at all levels

Preparation for the Information Society

Youth empowerment

Addressing key health and lifestyle issues – NCDs, HIV/AIDS

Development of sense of Caribbean identity

Preparation for citizenship of the region

CARICOM HEALTH

•NASSAU DECLARATION

•CARIBBEAN COOPERATION IN HEALTH INITIATIVE

•DECLARATION OF PORT-OF-SPAIN ON NCDS

CARICOM

Addressing Social Dimensions of Integration – Education and

Employment

Some Major Issues

• Reorienting education systems to prepare students for a changing workplace and world of work

• Gender issues in education and employment

• Re-tooling of existing workforce/ guaranteeing employability

• Qualification Frameworks /portability of Qualifications in the integrated labour market

CARICOM EDUCATION

CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS

HEALTH AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION

REGIONAL ACCREDITATION -TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS-REGIONAL EXAMINATIONS FOR NURSES AND PHYSICIANS

CARICOM EMPLOYMENT:Social Floor & The CSME

• Member States should adhere to the same minimum standards to ensure that

– CARICOM Nationals who move for employment purposes moving are not disadvantaged

– there is no unfair competition in the CSME, be it among businesses or for investment.

– Since 1995 the Caribbean Community adopted a Declaration on Labour and Industrial Relations Principles,

• Workers Rights are highlighted in the Charter of Civil Society, however, no decision was taken to make these rights mandatory.

CARICOM HOUSING• NOT MUCH DONE ON REGIONAL LEVEL

• COUNTRIES HAVE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING SCHEMES

• MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA

CARICOMPOSSIBLE AREAS FOR INTRA-REGIONAL COLLABORATION

• INFORMATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANISMS WHICH SUPPORT REGIONAL INTEGRATION

e.g. Free Movement, Regional Framework for Children, CCH Initiative

• EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CHILDREN

• SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF TRADE AGREEMENTS E.G TRADE AND HEALTH

( utilising the flexibilities in WTO Agreements which address public health )

Thank You

CARICOM