The 45th regular meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government saw significant strides towards realizing the long-awaited free movement of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals within Member countries.
Leaders committed to amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas by March 31, 2024, to ensure unrestricted travel rights for all CARICOM nationals residing in Community Member countries.
Expansion of free movement
The scope of free movement encompasses member states integrated into the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
This expansion signifies a shift beyond merely facilitating the movement of skills to embracing the freedom of movement for individuals.
Technical work underway
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, offered insights during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
She reiterated Jamaica’s steadfast dedication to achieving full free movement, acknowledging the extensive technical groundwork essential for realizing this objective.
Key considerations
A range of technical considerations underscores the complexity of the endeavor. Issues such as defining emergency and primary healthcare across diverse nations and assessing implications for capacity and cost are under scrutiny.
Education access, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, also features prominently.
Collaboration with the Ministries of Labour and Social Security, as well as Finance, is imperative, given the implications for employment rights and economic factors.
Path ahead
While acknowledging the transitional phase ahead, Senator Johnson Smith emphasized the ongoing efforts leading up to the next full regular meeting of Heads, slated for July in Grenada.
The Inter-Governmental Task Force (IGTF) remains actively engaged, signaling continued progress in advancing the free movement agenda.
