Diverting attention from the genesis of a dire situation

May 24, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Media coverage about the impact of Barbados’ new immigration policy comes across as a deliberate strategy to divert attention from the genesis of a dire situation.
The forced migration of Guyanese to Barbados is largely the result of the refusal by the Guyana government to create the environment for work for the people; provide decent security and social services; respect human rights; racial equality, and its entrenched dictatorial management.
The increasing lack of these basic conditions has forced Guyanese to flee in droves. This is the crux of the problem.
Barbados’ new immigration policy, dealing with illegal immigrants cannot be looked at in isolation of Guyana’s political economy; the principles governing the CSME, CARICOM Charter of Civil Society, and local laws.

Making Barbados the scoundrel of immigration intolerance will not fix the problems in Guyana, or ensure a Caribbean Community of equal opportunities and widespread economic development.
As a sovereign nation it’s Barbados’ right to enforce immigration laws to protect its people and economy-standard of living; population growth; labour/skills; social services and wage rate.
Note, the CSME Free Movement of Labour and Skills does not support free movement of labour/skills in isolation of meeting set guidelines and adherence to laws. Guyana, too, has immigration laws that deport illegal immigrants and illegal workers.

The fact that Guyana may not be an attractive destination for those seeking a better life, is delinquent in adherence to the rule of law, and has poor polices does not mean that this approach should be the model of governance everywhere.
It should also be a worrisome issue for CARICOM. Barbados is one of the region’s strongest economies and this says a lot about the country’s governance.
Its best practices should be copied, not ridiculed and insulted as seem to be the new fad, in the hope that Barbados compromises its laws and standards where lawlessness and declining standards become the new norm.

Barbados’ new immigration policy/law offers a path to legal status and law abiding people should adhere to them. Given human nature, there may be misinterpretation and misapplication and in instance when this occur it has to be addressed, even as we must insistently demand that the Guyana Government respect the rights of its citizens, and ask our countrymen abroad to obey the laws/policies of the host country.
On the other hand, Barbados recognising the high influx of Guyanese living and working illegally in the country should by now know the reasons for so.
It is therefore in Barbados’ national interest, and CARICOM’s to speak out against the atrocities in Guyana, and support those who want to change it, since it is clearly evident there is a correlation between Guyana’s deterioration and illegal migration.
If people were/are treated right at home, have opportunities for jobs, enjoy quality social services and security, then there wouldn’t be this exodus from Guyana to live and work in other countries illegally.
M. A. Bacchus