CARICOM makes strides to reduce immigration check point problems

Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis (SKNIS)—Strides have been made to reduce complaints of violations of the rights of persons to move freely at immigration check points throughout CARICOM member countries.

Sylvonne Jack, Trade Officer in the Ministry of Trade, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Information Technology, and National CSME Focal Point for St. Vincent and Grenadines, in speaking to SKNIS recently, explained that since the introduction of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME), there had been a gradual improvement at immigration check points throughout the Region.

I think we have moved past that initial fear. So once persons understand who are the categories that are able to move freely now and you have your Service Provider Certificate or you understand that a business person can establish a business in another CARICOM country and you are prepared beforehand, you will be able to move freely,” Ms Jack said.

Adding to the discussion, Communication Specialist at the CARICOM Secretariat, Salas Hamilton, explained that the CARICOM Complaints Procedure had been established to assist persons who felt that their rights to free movement had been violated.

There is a process; it is online and at the various ministries,” said Hamilton, “So if you feel that your access rights have been violated, you can seek redress via this process before you move on to other avenues such as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, in partnership with the European Union (EU), is currently on an education thrust throughout the Caribbean on regional integration with a focus on the CSME.

The Communication Specialist for the CARICOM Secretariat led a delegation of students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to St. Kitts and Nevis last week. They were addressing the four major elements of the CSME: Free Movement of Skills, Free Movement of Goods, Free Movement of Services, and Free Movement of Capital/Right of Establishment. (St Kitts and Nevis Information Service Press Release)