MIGRATIONMIGRATION

MIGRATION CHALLENGES IN THE MIGRATION CHALLENGES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CARIBBEAN CONTEXT OF THE CARIBBEAN

COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SINGLE COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMYMARKET AND ECONOMY – –

With emphasis on the experiences ofWith emphasis on the experiences of

the Republic of Trinidad and Tobagothe Republic of Trinidad and TobagoPresented by Mr. Carl FrancisPresented by Mr. Carl Francis

Permanent SecretaryPermanent Secretary

Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development Development

Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)ECONOMY (CSME)

The Caribbean chain of islands stretches The Caribbean chain of islands stretches from the Yucatan and Florida Peninsulas in from the Yucatan and Florida Peninsulas in a south-easterly direction towards the a south-easterly direction towards the north-eastern coast of the Latin American north-eastern coast of the Latin American mainland. In 1973 a subset of this group of mainland. In 1973 a subset of this group of countries formed an economic union called countries formed an economic union called the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Grouping now has as its members Antigua Grouping now has as its members Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND

ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’dECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d……In 1989, the 1973 CARICOM treaty was deepened In 1989, the 1973 CARICOM treaty was deepened with the commencement of the formation of the with the commencement of the formation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CSME is being implemented through 9 Protocols, CSME is being implemented through 9 Protocols, one of which is Protocol II which treats with the one of which is Protocol II which treats with the Right of Establishment, Provision of Services and Right of Establishment, Provision of Services and Movement of Capital. This deepening involved the Movement of Capital. This deepening involved the removal of restrictions on the provision of services removal of restrictions on the provision of services as well as the expansion of commitments and as well as the expansion of commitments and obligations of Member States as they relate to obligations of Member States as they relate to free movement of capital and skilled labour. free movement of capital and skilled labour.

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND

ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’dECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d……In January 1996, CARICOM Heads of In January 1996, CARICOM Heads of Government agreed that the free Government agreed that the free movement of persons would be movement of persons would be limited to university graduates, limited to university graduates, artistes, sports persons, musicians artistes, sports persons, musicians and media workers who are nationals and media workers who are nationals of the grouping.of the grouping.

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND

ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’dECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…… The leaders of six CARICOM Member The leaders of six CARICOM Member

States took an historic step when they States took an historic step when they formally signed a declaration giving birth formally signed a declaration giving birth to the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) to the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) which allows for easier movement of which allows for easier movement of goods, services and skilled workers. goods, services and skilled workers.

Modeled after the European Union, the Modeled after the European Union, the CSM operated initially with Barbados, CSM operated initially with Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago as its signatories.Trinidad and Tobago as its signatories.

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) AND ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…Cont’d… In July 2006, six member states -In July 2006, six member states -

Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St.Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia, Grenada, St.Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines- St. Vincent and the Grenadines- joined the Single Market.joined the Single Market.

The full CSME is expected to come The full CSME is expected to come into being in 2008into being in 2008

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…

Under the current arrangements, free Under the current arrangements, free movement is available to the following wage movement is available to the following wage earners - University Graduates, Sports earners - University Graduates, Sports Persons, Media Persons, Artistes, Nurses and Persons, Media Persons, Artistes, Nurses and Teachers. Self employed persons having Teachers. Self employed persons having movement are service providers and persons movement are service providers and persons establishing a business.establishing a business.

Consideration is now being given to the Consideration is now being given to the inclusion of Hospitality Workers, Domestic inclusion of Hospitality Workers, Domestic Workers and Artisans in the category of wage Workers and Artisans in the category of wage earnersearners

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…

The free movement of all CARICOM The free movement of all CARICOM Workers is envisaged by 2009Workers is envisaged by 2009

The CSME is committed to the The CSME is committed to the principles of the ILO Decent Work principles of the ILO Decent Work Agenda since it recognizes that Agenda since it recognizes that particular attention must be paid to particular attention must be paid to the protection of wage earners moving the protection of wage earners moving to other member states in order to to other member states in order to seek employmentseek employment

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) AND ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…Cont’d… Trinidad and Tobago currently accounts Trinidad and Tobago currently accounts

for about 80% of trade within the region. for about 80% of trade within the region. To date approximately 2000 CARICOM To date approximately 2000 CARICOM Nationals have applied to the Ministry of Nationals have applied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago for Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago for certification to allow them to move freely certification to allow them to move freely for work and business in the country. for work and business in the country.

Snap shot of Trinidad and TobagoSnap shot of Trinidad and Tobago

There has been a migration pull towards There has been a migration pull towards Trinidad and Tobago as it is the most Trinidad and Tobago as it is the most diversified and industrialised economy in diversified and industrialised economy in the English speaking Caribbean and has the English speaking Caribbean and has earned a reputation as an excellent earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international business. investment site for international business. There are proven reserves of petroleum There are proven reserves of petroleum and natural gas, and heavy industries such and natural gas, and heavy industries such as iron and steel, methanol and as iron and steel, methanol and nitrogenous fertilizers. nitrogenous fertilizers.

Snap shot of Trinidad and Tobago Snap shot of Trinidad and Tobago Cont’d…Cont’d…

The economy is based on, inter alia, The economy is based on, inter alia, petroleum, natural gas, and manufacturing petroleum, natural gas, and manufacturing and has been growing at over 8% p.a., and has been growing at over 8% p.a., with services accounting for over 51% of with services accounting for over 51% of GDP. At the end of the 4GDP. At the end of the 4thth quarter of 2006, quarter of 2006, the unemployment rate stood at 5%. the unemployment rate stood at 5%.

Snap shot of Trinidad and Tobago Snap shot of Trinidad and Tobago Cont’d…Cont’d…

The problem that now faces the The problem that now faces the Trinidad and Tobago economy is how Trinidad and Tobago economy is how can a population of 1.3 million, the can a population of 1.3 million, the size of a small suburb in a large size of a small suburb in a large metropolitan city, provide for the full metropolitan city, provide for the full range of skills and services that are range of skills and services that are required to meet current demands of required to meet current demands of a country seeking to become a a country seeking to become a developed country by the year 2020?developed country by the year 2020?

Migrant Caribbean Labour – Migrant Caribbean Labour – some statisticssome statistics

As indicated earlier, elements of Caribbean As indicated earlier, elements of Caribbean labour have been historically mobilelabour have been historically mobile

Approximately 10-40% of the labour force Approximately 10-40% of the labour force from the Caribbean has migrated to the from the Caribbean has migrated to the OECD economies since 1960’sOECD economies since 1960’s

Caribbean persons account for 19% of the Caribbean persons account for 19% of the migrant stocks in Canada and 12% in the migrant stocks in Canada and 12% in the USAUSA

Tertiary emigration rates stand at 86% for Tertiary emigration rates stand at 86% for Guyana, 83% for Jamaica and 78% for Guyana, 83% for Jamaica and 78% for Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago

Source: ILO, Caribbean labour migration: Minimizing losses and optimizing benefits, Dr. Andrew Pienkos

Migrant Caribbean Labour – Migrant Caribbean Labour – some statistics cont’d… some statistics cont’d…

Statistics show that CARICOM nationals Statistics show that CARICOM nationals account for just over one-half of all flows account for just over one-half of all flows within the region (52%).within the region (52%).

Between 1990 – 2000 the stock of migrant Between 1990 – 2000 the stock of migrant workers within the region has increased by workers within the region has increased by 18%18%

Migrants accounted for 39% of the population Migrants accounted for 39% of the population in the Cayman Islands, 36% in Anguilla and in the Cayman Islands, 36% in Anguilla and 36% in the British Virgin Islands36% in the British Virgin Islands

Caribbean small island economies are a Caribbean small island economies are a source of often highly trained professionals source of often highly trained professionals in various fields and they continue to be lured in various fields and they continue to be lured to the metropolesto the metropoles

Migrant Labour in T&T – a Migrant Labour in T&T – a twofold challenge.twofold challenge.

TRADITIONAL OUTFLOWSTRADITIONAL OUTFLOWS We continue to face traditional We continue to face traditional

outflows of professionals in certain outflows of professionals in certain fields, namely, the medical (doctors fields, namely, the medical (doctors and nurses) and teaching services.and nurses) and teaching services.

Seasonal movement to CSAWP with Seasonal movement to CSAWP with Canada since 1967 – approximately Canada since 1967 – approximately 1500 farm workers annually.1500 farm workers annually.

The T&T Experience– a The T&T Experience– a twofold challenge.twofold challenge.

DERIVED DEMANDDERIVED DEMAND Development/expansion of the Public Development/expansion of the Public

Sector eg. 10,000 houses per annum; Sector eg. 10,000 houses per annum; proposed construction of aluminuim proposed construction of aluminuim smelter plants; second steel plant smelter plants; second steel plant etc. (International construction etc. (International construction companies eg. Bechtel require large companies eg. Bechtel require large numbers of specialised workers)numbers of specialised workers)

Trade liberalization – private sector Trade liberalization – private sector fuelled economyfuelled economy

Migrant Labour in T&T – a Migrant Labour in T&T – a twofold challenge.twofold challenge.

Trinidad and Tobago is presently a Trinidad and Tobago is presently a net importer of migrant labour eg. net importer of migrant labour eg. Doctors, nurses, construction Doctors, nurses, construction workers, natural gas industry workers, natural gas industry specialists, aluminium and specialists, aluminium and construction industry specialists.construction industry specialists.

Sources of T&T Migrant Labour.Sources of T&T Migrant Labour. Republic of Cuba – doctors, nursesRepublic of Cuba – doctors, nurses UN Volunteers – UNDP – medical UN Volunteers – UNDP – medical

personnel personnel Republic of the Phillipines – Republic of the Phillipines –

doctors, nurses, pharmacists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, engineers, quantity surveyors, engineers, quantity surveyors, architects, Auto Cad technicians architects, Auto Cad technicians etc.etc.

Skilled workers from CSME – eg. Skilled workers from CSME – eg. Masons, carpenters etc.Masons, carpenters etc.

Sources of Migrant Labour Sources of Migrant Labour (Cont’d).(Cont’d).

Skilled workers from the Republic of Skilled workers from the Republic of China – construction, welders; steel China – construction, welders; steel benders; specialty chefsbenders; specialty chefs

Pre-fabricators from Columbia –Pre-Pre-fabricators from Columbia –Pre-fab houses etc.fab houses etc.

University graduates in many fields University graduates in many fields from several regional sourcesfrom several regional sources

Migration – The Migration – The experiences of Trinidad and experiences of Trinidad and

TobagoTobago During the period 2001-2005 work During the period 2001-2005 work

permits issued increased significantly permits issued increased significantly by 3,750 or 548.2%, from 684 in 2001 by 3,750 or 548.2%, from 684 in 2001 to 4,434 in 2005 An increase of 1,528 or to 4,434 in 2005 An increase of 1,528 or 52.6% over the previous year 2004. 52.6% over the previous year 2004.

The largest number of permits issued, The largest number of permits issued, 1,457 or 32.9% of the total permits 1,457 or 32.9% of the total permits issued, was in the Petroleum and Gas issued, was in the Petroleum and Gas Industrial Group. Industrial Group.

Major ChallengesMajor Challenges

Opposition from the professional Opposition from the professional bodies, Medical Board, Nursing bodies, Medical Board, Nursing Council and Pharmacy BoardCouncil and Pharmacy Board

Language/Cultural BarriersLanguage/Cultural Barriers Demands from local Trade Unions for Demands from local Trade Unions for

compensation for locals in line with compensation for locals in line with that paid to foreignersthat paid to foreigners

Impact on the social system?Impact on the social system?

Need for closer linkages between the Need for closer linkages between the University of the West Indies and line University of the West Indies and line Ministries to determine manpower gaps Ministries to determine manpower gaps and strategies to meet/close them.and strategies to meet/close them.

Labour migration policies need to be Labour migration policies need to be supported by measures to prevent abusive supported by measures to prevent abusive practices and promote decent and productive practices and promote decent and productive work for women and men migrantswork for women and men migrants

More effective collaboration needed with More effective collaboration needed with receiving states. Issues such as social receiving states. Issues such as social security contributions, basic human rights, security contributions, basic human rights, contribution to the training of this readily contribution to the training of this readily available labour pool must be examined.available labour pool must be examined.

Migrant Workers – SolutionsMigrant Workers – Solutions

Migrant Workers – SolutionsMigrant Workers – Solutions Creation of a labour migration database Creation of a labour migration database

which will be linked to the National Human which will be linked to the National Human Resource Management System (NHRMIS). Resource Management System (NHRMIS).   The NHRMIS is a user-friendly data entry, The NHRMIS is a user-friendly data entry, storage and retrieval system for data on storage and retrieval system for data on the labour market and education and the labour market and education and training institutions. Its immediate objective training institutions. Its immediate objective is the provision of labour market is the provision of labour market information (LMI) on a timely, continuous information (LMI) on a timely, continuous and accessible basis to policy makers, and accessible basis to policy makers, employers, investors, researchers, trade employers, investors, researchers, trade unionists and other interested parties. unionists and other interested parties.

Migrant Workers – SolutionsMigrant Workers – Solutions

Even before the implementation of Even before the implementation of the CSM in 2006, migrant workers in the CSM in 2006, migrant workers in Trinidad and Tobago were afforded all Trinidad and Tobago were afforded all social protection afforded to nationals. social protection afforded to nationals. With the advent of the CSM, the With the advent of the CSM, the CARICOM Agreement will seek to CARICOM Agreement will seek to harmonize all the social security harmonize all the social security legislation of member states in line legislation of member states in line with ILO Recommendation No. 167.with ILO Recommendation No. 167.

Legislation among CARICOM countries Legislation among CARICOM countries to facilitate free movement of labour to facilitate free movement of labour (Sunset legislation World Cup Cricket)(Sunset legislation World Cup Cricket)

Caribbean Court of Justice to arbitrateCaribbean Court of Justice to arbitrate OSH to be the guiding principleOSH to be the guiding principle Minimum Wages Acts (non-unionised Minimum Wages Acts (non-unionised

workers) across the groupingworkers) across the grouping

Migrant Workers – Solutions Migrant Workers – Solutions Cont’d…Cont’d…

T&T Government offers free T&T Government offers free tertiary/university education to all tertiary/university education to all citizens (including free universal citizens (including free universal pre-school, primary and secondary pre-school, primary and secondary education)education)

Adherence/Enforceability of ILO Adherence/Enforceability of ILO standards – eg. Strengthening of standards – eg. Strengthening of the labour inspection compliance the labour inspection compliance function of the Ministry of Labour function of the Ministry of Labour

Migrant Workers – Solutions Migrant Workers – Solutions Cont’d…Cont’d…

New InitiativesNew Initiatives27th Conference of Caribbean 27th Conference of Caribbean Heads of Government – July Heads of Government – July

20062006– SupportedSupported the recommendation for the the recommendation for the establishment of a Technical Working group establishment of a Technical Working group to undertake a policy study on the subject to undertake a policy study on the subject under review.under review.

– AgreedAgreed that special attention be paid tothat special attention be paid to The development of migration policyThe development of migration policy Retention of skilled labourRetention of skilled labour Information system/databaseInformation system/database Information to enhance national capacity; building Information to enhance national capacity; building

social support systems to respond to the social support systems to respond to the requirements of voluntary and involuntary return requirements of voluntary and involuntary return migrantsmigrants

Diaspora CommunitiesDiaspora Communities

XV CARICOM COHSOD XV CARICOM COHSOD Meeting – October 2006Meeting – October 2006

Agreed Agreed that with the movement of labour that with the movement of labour in the CSME, special attention must be in the CSME, special attention must be paid to implications of intra-regional paid to implications of intra-regional immigration and the policies required to immigration and the policies required to deal with the issue;deal with the issue;

UrgedUrged Member States to cooperate with Member States to cooperate with the Secretariat in responding to the the Secretariat in responding to the mandates of the Heads of Government for mandates of the Heads of Government for the follow up studiesthe follow up studies

Tripartite Declaration and Plan of Tripartite Declaration and Plan of Action for Realizing the Decent Work Action for Realizing the Decent Work

Agenda in the CaribbeanAgenda in the Caribbean

Adopted at the Tripartite Caribbean Adopted at the Tripartite Caribbean Employment Forum in Barbados, October 2006Employment Forum in Barbados, October 2006

Promotes, in conformity with national Promotes, in conformity with national employment and labour market strategies, employment and labour market strategies, proactive labour migration policies and proactive labour migration policies and programmes that optimize gains and minimize programmes that optimize gains and minimize losses from migration, help manage intra-losses from migration, help manage intra-regional migration, enhance the regulatory regional migration, enhance the regulatory mechanisms and protect migrant workers mechanisms and protect migrant workers {being guided by the ILO Non-binding {being guided by the ILO Non-binding Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration (2005)}(2005)}

THANK YOU!

MUCHAS GRACIAS!