Four Caricom nations are boldly forging ahead with the free movement of nationals. They are Belize, Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent who have implemented the full free movement ahead of other Caricom member states - which have been lagging on this key aspect of the CSME.
But what does it mean for these countries and how does Belize benefit from this regional integration? We asked a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Tricia Gideon, CSME, Focal Point
"As of today the 30th of September, each member state has in place a skills regime including Belize and we have a law that governs that skills regime which is different from the work permit regime or any other regime that persons may come under. There are 13 approved categories that the community approved and these include persons with a degree such as an associate or higher. These include media workers, teachers, nurses, agriculture workers, security and domestic workers with a CBQ, artisans, artists so these are the categories that you can come under. An attorney falls under persons with a degree. And so all of these people right now once they have a skill certificate that they obtained in their member state or another member state can move. So CARICOM nationals can move under that regime. Now this regime, full free movement is saying we are done with those categories in regards to Dominica, Barbados and St Vincent anybody from these countries once they have their CARICOM passport can move so that is the difference."
