Letter of the Day - CSME certificate - the full story
published: Sunday | August 6, 2006

Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur (left) gives Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves (third left) a playful pat on the head while fellow Heads of Government, Jamaica's Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (third right); Surinamese President Ronald Venetiaan (second right); and St. Lucia's Prime Minister Kenny Anthony (partially hidden) look on during the ceremonial inauguration of the Caricom Single Market (CSM) held at the University of the West Indies (Mona) Visitors' Lodge in January this year. Also present is CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington (right). The single market arrangement allows freedom of movement of skilled labour across the region. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Editor, Sir:

After seeking to benefit from the much heralded free movement of labour under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), I am most disappointed that the full story has not been told. I did all that was necessary, notwithstanding the bureaucratic encounter at the Ministry of Labour (where only the minister can sign the approval for the CSME skill certificate) to get my skill certificate to travel to work in Trinidad. All this time I was told that this was all that was necessary to be employed in a country signed on to the programme.

To my surprise, after being employed in Trinidad and travelling out of the country on business, I was informed on re-entry that the CSME certificate obtained in Jamaica is only good for six months and does not give the privilege of being employed in the country. The holder is expected in Trinidad to apply for a CSME certificate in Trinidad including, medical, police record etc. before being able to reside and work in the country. This I do think is absurd as the same procedure is required in each home country. Is this to say that if I need to work in five CARICOM countries, I need five skill certificates from each country?

Please, can someone explain to me what really is the usefulness of issuing skill certificates in one's home country when it has no true value in the country that you are seeking employment? This is not free movement of labour, as I could have been debarred from entering Trinidad even if I had a CSME skill certificate from Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

CARL STEWART

snappy1691@yahoo.com

3A Gerold Ramkisoon Avenue

Via Go-Jamaica