Employers and workers organizations as well as other labour-related entities across the region are to become more aware of the free movement provisions of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This is due to a series of free movement sensitization sessions by the CARICOM Secretariat which began earlier this year. The latest activity is set for Dominica and will take place from Monday October 24 to Tuesday, October 25 at the Fort Young Hotel. This initiative is being facilitated under the 10th European Development Fund CSME and Economic Integration Programme. Approximately 40 representatives from local organizations in both the public and private sectors are expected to attend the two-day activity. 

Resource persons from the Secretariat will conduct the sensitization exercise which will cover the following areas: the facilitation of hassle-free travel, movement of skilled CARICOM nationals, the right of establishment and the provision of services. Participants will also be apprised of the CARICOM Complaints Procedure which nationals can use if they feel that they have been denied access to any of the regimes as they travel to other member states. Additionally, they will be informed of their responsibilities as citizens who seek to move under any of the free movement regimes of the CSME. The session also provides an opportunity for labour stakeholders to have any issues clarified regarding free movement or to make recommendations.

Another such session will be convened in Antigua and Barbuda on Friday, October 28 with similar stakeholders. There are plans to have these free movement sensitization exercises in other CSME-participating member states in the coming months and in early 2017. This initiative forms part of the CARICOM Secretariat’s effort to ensure that all stakeholders are informed of the CSME provisions thereby securing buy-in and active participation in the Single Market and Economy.