The Caribbean Private Sector Organization (CPSO) has welcomed the decision by Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to allow full free movement of people by October 1, 2025.
This move follows the rules set by the CARICOM Treaty and the Enhanced Cooperation Protocol. The CPSO is now encouraging all other CARICOM countries to do the same by December 31, 2025.
At the 49th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting held in Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed that the four countries are moving ahead with full free movement. He also said Jamaica is working to remove the barriers holding it back.
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Since its start in 2020, the CPSO has supported full free movement of workers as part of building a stronger CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). They say allowing people to move freely is key to creating more jobs and economic growth in the region.
During a recent business breakfast in Montego Bay, CPSO leaders pushed for more labour mobility. They also suggested that workers from Haiti could help fill job gaps in farming, tourism, construction, and other sectors.
CPSO Chairman Gervase Warner said the region needs skilled and semi-skilled workers to meet growing demand, especially in places like Guyana and Jamaica.
Other CPSO leaders, including Christian Mouttet (Trinidad and Tobago) and William Mahfood (Jamaica), agreed. They raised the issue directly with CARICOM leaders and said they were pleased when the decision to move forward was announced.
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CPSO CEO Dr. Patrick Antoine shared that some countries have already asked for help in bringing in workers for crops like sugar, cocoa, banana, and nutmeg, where labour shortages are common.
“There is interest on both sides,” Dr. Antoine said. “But governments must now make formal decisions to make these labour exchanges happen.”
He also warned that without more skilled workers, the Caribbean may fall short of its “25 by 2025” food security goals.
Prime Minister Holness also announced that new job categories will be added to the list of approved CSME skills. These include aviation workers, field technicians, and aircraft maintenance staff.
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The CPSO praised the leadership shown by the four countries and welcomed Jamaica’s commitment to speed up its own process. They also called on the rest of CARICOM to act quickly so that the free movement of workers becomes a reality across the region by the end of 2025.
The CPSO says it will continue to work with both governments and the private sector to help make this important goal a success for all CARICOM nations.
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