Latest update March 12th, 2026 12:40 AM
Trinidad, Barbados main culprits frustrating movement of CARICOM skilled workers – Gonsalves
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (right) with CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque
Prime Minister St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has singled out Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados as regional countries that continue to frustrate the free movement of skilled Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals.
Dr. Gonsalves was at the time responding to questions from regional stakeholders during the two-day consultation, hosted by the CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) at the Ramada Princess Hotel. The consultation concluded on Saturday.
Under the free movement clause of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), skilled persons are entitled to move and work freely throughout the region using the Free Movement of Skills certificate.
The Prime Minister explained that CARICOM nationals continue to face challenges where skilled workers are turned away.
“The games which some countries play; I don’t find the problem is relevant in the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States), but the main culprits in this regard are Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. They twist every single CARICOM skilled national certificate upside down inside out as though they are written in Mandarin, Chinese upside down. And some refuse to accept them,” Gonsalves stated.
He stated that this is an example where there are practical things in the existing arrangement for the CSME, which can get done.
“It will make life better for people. We can’t jump over them,” Dr. Gonsalves noted.
The stakeholders reviewed the gaps in implementation of the CSME.
Panel discussions throughout the two days explored matters such as what the CSME objectives and priorities should be and the private sector and labour. They also focused on free movement of persons and public awareness.
The findings and recommendations from the Consultation are intended to be considered by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and also to inform the review of the CSME being undertaken by the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government which will continue in a Special Session at its upcoming meeting next month.
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