The 'Free Movement' Quiz For Caricom

Carrington sparks questions on labour mobility and help for Haiti
RICKEY SINGH


CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington last week chose to raise hopes - amid prevailing disappointments - for progress in the "free movement of Caricom nationals" of the dozen countries participating in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) project.

The optimism expressed by the secretary general has, however, to be considered in the context of caveats that serve to underscore the recognised need for more focused, collective efforts by governments to make stated commitment on planned migration and labour mobility a reality.

Carrington, Caricom's longest chief public servant - he is now in his 18th year as secretary general - was addressing last week's three-day meeting in Guyana of the 19th Council of Human and Social Development (COSHOD), held in conjunction with the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

At the meeting, which was concluded on Friday with Caricom's labour ministers in attendance, Carrington also thought it necessary to remind the Community's governments that "it is not enough for us to just be sorry" for earthquake-devastated Haiti, but to come forward with specific, "concrete pledges" to alleviate the burden of the Haitian people.

Let me address first the secretary general's assessment of what remains one of the more sensitive issues in Caricom's journey towards the laudable goal of establishing a seamless regional economy with the CSME.

While the public awaits the decisions reached at the COSHOD meeting, Carrington has stated that "free movement of labour and intra-regional migration" are "challenging" issues for deliberation.

'Movement' certificates


In recognising the anxieties of wage earners who remain excluded from the 10 approved categories for free movement within the CSME framework, Carrington pointed to the gains made which have resulted in the release of more than 6,000 Caricom skills certificates between 2006 and 2008.

A further increase is expected for 2010 because, he said, of the "expansion in the categories of wage earners who could now move across the region for economic activity".

But Secretary General Carrington would know that for all the expressed good intentions, data on the annual processing of skills certificates, as well as a number of applications yet to be addressed, are not readily forthcoming.

Additionally, frustration continues to be the name of the game in the absence of common legislation guaranteeing contingent rights for holders of approved skills certificates and members of their immediate family to access education, health and housing facilities.

Ironically, one of the governments among those failing to expedite the processes for free movement of labour and intra-regional migration is that of Dominica whose prime minister (Roosevelt Skerrit) has lead responsibility among Caricom leaders for "labour including movement of skills".

A yet unpublished 'country report' in support of full integration of Belize and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has, for instance, observed that while the government in Roseau was strongly in favour of the regional regime for labour mobility, "it needs to put in place the arrangements to facilitate accreditation and full mobility..."

Do not expect a listing of other defaulting governments from either the CSME unit dealing with this matter or the Community Secretariat itself.

But pertinent questions could be: How many of the 12 governments involved in CSME planning are at least 50 per cent ready with necessary arrangements for free movement of labour and intra-regional migration?

The reality is that while the expressed optimism by the secretary general can be appreciated, doubts and cynicism can only diminish, if not disappear, with EVIDENCE of relevant COLLECTIVE action.

Encouraging reminders


Yet, it is at least encouraging to have the Community's secretary general offering appropriate reminders on essential work agendas as he did this past week in relation to free movement of nationals within the CSME.

Also of relevance is Carrington's observation that "it is not enough for us (Caricom) to just be 'sorry' for Haiti (echoing a long-expressed sentiment of the calypsonian David Rudder).

But to tell it like it is may require raising questions about why - in the face of the destruction of Haiti by the earthquake of last January 12 - Caricom governments are yet to come forward with at least a draft plan on how to offer temporary immigrant status for a specified number of displaced Haitians.

With minor exceptions, what we seem to be facing at present is the typical scenario - prior to the earthquake disaster - of Haitians turning up illegally in a few Caricom states - Jamaica and The Bahamas in particular.

Perhaps former prime minister of Jamaica PJ Patterson, our 'Special Advocate for Haiti', should, in collaboration with the Community Secretariat, provide updates on the "concrete pledges of support" being received by the 'Special Support Unit for Haiti' established by Caricom and operating out of Jamaica.

April 18, 2010

jamaicaobserver

Bahamas Blog International

Mexico drug cartels migrating to Caribbean

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters) -- Caribbean leaders told US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Friday that Mexico's US-backed crackdown on drugs was pushing cartels to step up smuggling through their island nations.

Gates, attending a regional security conference in Barbados, acknowledged their concerns and emphasized the need to tighten coordination between anti-drug efforts in Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States.

"I think that narco-trafficking is a problem for the hemisphere as a whole. And wherever you put pressure, the traffickers will go where there is less resistance and where there is less capability," Gates told reporters.

He said President Barack Obama was boosting security aid to the Caribbean, which had ebbed under the Bush administration.

US funding for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative will rise to $70 million in fiscal year 2011 from $45 million in 2010, he said. Funding this year aims to improve maritime patrol and interdiction capabilities.

"After 9/11, the US began to draw down its presence and engagement in this region," Gates said.

Gates said he hoped recent US efforts showed "the United States is re-engaging in this region and that we will work with these countries to address these problems."

The US Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that three-quarters of South American cocaine going north passes through Central America, with a much smaller portion moving through the Caribbean.

But Gates said Caribbean leaders told him that the situation was getting worse thanks to the efforts of Plan Merida, the $1.4 billion U.S. program started in 2007 to help Mexico fight the cartels.

"Their belief (is) that the problem has gotten worse because of the Merida initiative and Mexico's efforts," he said.

The prime minister of Barbados, David Thompson, told reporters: "Obviously, we consider (drug smuggling) to be a threat to our individual, national and regional well-being in every sense of the word... We believe the United States is aware of what these concerns are."

April 17, 2010

caribbeannetnews

Bahamas Blog International

US defense secretary says Obama administration 're-engaging with Caribbean'

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM) -- United States Secretary of Defense Robert M Gates said he hopes Friday’s regional security summit in Barbados and President Barack Obama’s Caribbean Basin Security Initiative send a strong signal that “the United States is reengaging with this region” after drawing down its presence following the 9/11 terror attacks.

Speaking at a joint news conference Friday with seven Caribbean government and national security leaders Gates said he’s impressed by the innovative approaches being taken to promote collective security through the initiative.

Following what he called a “very productive” meeting to discuss furthering those efforts, Gates lauded the Caribbean nations’ work toward marshalling limited resources to address common threats such as narco-trafficking and violent crime.

These challenges touch US shores as well, and demand that regional nations mount a united front to confront them, Gates said during a joint news conference with Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson and St Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Sam Condor.

Gates conceded that the drug trafficking problem has worsened due to the success of the Merida Initiative and Mexico’s crackdown on drug cartels there.

“Narco-trafficking is a problem for the hemisphere as a whole,” he said, “and wherever you put pressure, the traffickers will go where there is less resistance and where there is less capability.”

Going forward, Gates said he would like to see broader efforts to connect the regional security system here with efforts under way outside the Eastern Caribbean. This includes efforts by the French, Dutch, Colombians, Peruvians and US Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force.

The secretary praised Barbados as a strong US security partner and a leader in promoting security cooperation in the Eastern Caribbean.

“The United States stands steadfastly with you as you pursue long-term solutions to these problems,” Gates said after meeting with the Prime Ministers and national security ministers.

Much of that support is provided through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative that President Barack Obama proposed last April during the Summit of the Americans in Trinidad and Tobago.

The initiative has been built with extensive input from Caribbean nations with a central role for the regional security system, Gates noted Friday, all aimed at helping regional governments face up to transnational threats.

The $45 million the United States has committed to the effort this year will help improve regional maritime patrol and interdiction capabilities and domain awareness and provide for additional joint training and exercises, he said.

Gates said details about how these funds will be allocated are being hammered out by technical working groups, with one convened Friday in Washington.

He emphasized that regional nations will be the ones to help determine how the funding can be most effective. The United States already has committed three interceptor boats and communications equipment, but Gates said he heard suggestions on Friday about the need for more law enforcement training and the stand-up of major crimes units.

However, Gates emphasized that the Caribbean initiative represents more as it provides a comprehensive approach to regional security. Its scope extends beyond military and security assistance to address equally critical components of the region’s economic and social stability.

The initiative aims to provide, “not just improved security capabilities to confront immediate threats, but also development assistance in hopes of addressing the root causes of regional problems, such as the lack of educational and employment opportunities, particularly for youth,” Gates said. “That is a strategy we strongly support.”

Fifteen Caribbean Basin nations are included in the security initiative: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

April 17, 2010

caribbeannetnews

Bahamas Blog International

After a year of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe: What benefits for the Caribbean?

After a year of the EPA with Europe: What benefits for the Caribbean?

By Sir Ronald Sanders:


The European Commission (EC) will be holding a symposium on April 22 and 23 on the year-old Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) collectively and 15 Caribbean countries individually.

There is, as yet, no indication that Caribbean governments or the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat will be holding a similar exercise.

It has to be assumed that each of the governments that signed the EPA has long established units both to implement its terms and to monitor its effects on individual economies.

Therefore, relevant authorities in each of the Caribbean states as well as the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) should be able to provide a list of the benefits that have been secured from the EU under the EPA. Our publics had been told that we would benefit not only from the exports of new goods and commodities to the EU but also from the provision of a wide range of services. Additionally, Caribbean companies would have the right of establishment in the EU.

Against this background, it should be fairly easy for the competent authority in each country to provide information related to just a few matters such as: what preparations and actions have been taken by exporters of goods and especially services to access the EU market; what are the investment plans by companies to establish in the EU market; and how easy or difficult are their plans looking for access to Europe.

There is a very important clause in the EPA which allows for a review of it within 5 years of its coming into force. That clause was hard fought for, and came about only because Guyana’s President Bharat Jagdeo had the courage to insist upon it even after other Caribbean governments had agreed to sign the EPA without such a review mechanism.

In defence of several Caribbean heads of government, it should be noted that they were reluctant to sign and many did so only after their crucial exports of bananas and sugar and some manufactured goods (from Trinidad and Tobago for instance) were threatened by the EC with a higher tariff in the EU market.

But, if the EPA is to be properly reviewed – and it should be subject to such a review on an annual basis – it is essential to monitor its implementation and to gather information that will inform an examination

However, informed sources in the region say that some governments have done very little about implementation and others have done nothing at all.

What is known for certain is that even though Caribbean countries and the EU are supposed to be ‘partners’ under the EPA, the EC has denounced the Sugar Protocol causing Caribbean countries to lose their preferential price for sugar; the EC has agreed a new trade regime for bananas with exports from non African, Caribbean and Pacific countries that will decimate what is left of the banana industry in the Caribbean; and come June 20, the EC will renege on an undertaking to the Caribbean rum industry to help finance restructuring and marketing while at the same time reducing tariffs on competing rum from several Latin American countries.

Not surprisingly several Caribbean businesses have lamented the benefits to them of the EPA so far. For example, Ramesh Dookooh, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, observes that “Guyana earns much of its revenue on traditional exports, including rice and sugar, both of which are not covered by the EPA’s duty- and quota-free. Thus, the private sector in our country has its reservations about the economic opportunities available under the EPA”. Nonetheless, he is hopeful. He says: “Wider consultation with stakeholders and a stronger focus on the developmental dimension of the agreements could make the EPAs even more effective.”

Unfortunately, there has not been much evidence of consultation. The experience of sugar, rum and bananas indicate that the EC now takes the Caribbean for granted. After all, they do already have a signed full EPA from the region, so why concern themselves overly about the Caribbean.

The EC also controls the purse strings. They have knotted those strings on the purse of the 8th European Development Fund (ED) from which money for restructuring and marketing the rum industry should have come, and its daunting bureaucratic procedures halt many Caribbean countries in their tracks from getting money to implement the EPA under the 10th EDF.

An EU fund, managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is reported to be exhausted with no sign of being replenished.

Undoubtedly, the global financial crisis – as well as the failures of regional financial institutions – has battered Caribbean governments. All CARICOM countries have been preoccupied with saving their economies from shocks including worsening terms of trade especially with the EU – even Guyana though it had 3.3 per cent growth in 2009.

But, Caribbean governments cannot afford to let attention to the EPA with the EU slip. The European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, recently told German business people: “The economic crisis has temporarily halted the process of globalisation. But let there be no mistake: this process is very likely to pick up again with renewed vigour. The EU must put in place the conditions to benefit from it to the full”. He is looking to a “successful conclusion” of the global negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) “to boost Europe's GDP by around 45 billion Euros”.

Commissioner De Gucht will measure a “successful conclusion” very differently from the Caribbean, but the region should have its own collective plan of action and its own definition of success on which it should collaborate with like-minded countries.

The implementation of the EPA and the procuring of benefits from it have not been evident so far, and the EC has not been helpful to the Caribbean in the process.

When Caribbean leaders meet their EU counterparts for a Conference on May 17th in Spain, they should be fully briefed and prepared to tell European leaders of their dissatisfaction and propose means of making the EPA deliver on the ‘partnership’ it promised.

April 16, 2010

caribbeannetnews

Caribbean countries take action to protect the marine environment from garbage

CURACAO, Netherlands Antilles -- Decisive action by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its 60th Session (22 to 26 March 2010), has resulted in the adoption of a resolution prohibiting the discharge of all garbage by ships in the Wider Caribbean Region as of 1 May 2011.

With the adoption of an MEPC resolution establishing 1 May 2011 as the date on which the MARPOL 73/78 Annex V (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships) Special Area regulations take effect in the Wider Caribbean, this region becomes the 6th zone to be protected against the discharge of all garbage from ships, other than organic materials under certain conditions (based on distance from shore and particle size).

Others include the Baltic Sea (effective since October 1989), the North Sea (February 1991), the Antarctic area (south of latitude 60 degrees south) (March 1992), the "Gulfs" area (August 2008) and the Mediterranean Sea (May 2009). The entry into force of the Special Area status in the Black and Red Seas, which have also been designated under the Annex V, is not yet effective.

Although the effective date is approximately one year from today, MEPC still calls on Governments and Industry to comply with the Special Area requirements as soon as possible.

The adoption of the resolution follows the notification at the same MEPC session by 22 Caribbean Parties to the MARPOL 73/78 Convention that sufficient adequate reception facilities for garbage are provided in most relevant ports within the region.

In the Wider Caribbean Region, 25 Countries are Parties to MARPOL and its Annex V. This Annex prohibits the discharge of all plastics, but allows, under certain conditions, for the discharge of other types of garbage (e.g. dunnage, paper, lining, metal, etc.), unless in designated Special Areas.

MEPC, recognizing the sensitivity of the Wider Caribbean Region (by assessing its specificities, such as the oceanography, the undersea topography, the interconnectedness of the area’s ecosystems and the shipping traffic in the region), designated the region as a Special Area under Annex V in 1991. However, due to a lack of capacity and an absence of notifications to IMO of the location of adequate reception facilities, the status had yet to become effective.

The Wider Caribbean Region contains 28 coastal and insular Countries that have coasts (may it be overseas territories) on the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and part of the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of more than 3.3 million km2, from the United States of America to French Guiana.

The region’s highly productive but extremely sensitive ecosystems provide a livelihood for many coastal communities (tourism, artisanal and industrial fisheries, sea bed exploitation) and more than 41 million people live within 10 km of the coastline.

Garbage in the marine environment poses several issues, whether environmental or socio-economic. It can damage habitats, cause the death of wildlife, but also impact the quality of life of local communities and affect the economies of a region, notably by its consequences on tourism.

A study conducted by UNEP assessed that litter from ocean-based sources of pollution (such as fishing nets, gear and supplies, ropes, etc.) accounted for at least 11% of all marine litter in our region. And this does not even include garbage that could have been disposed of from ships but was considered to originate from land-based sources (e.g. glass, metal, paper)!

According to Gaëtan Coatanroch, an IMO Consultant based at RAC/REMPEITC, the adoption of the IMO resolution shows “a strong commitment by the Parties to sustainably develop the region and decrease maritime pollution.” He also added that this is a very timely move, as maritime traffic is expected to continue to dramatically increase in the Caribbean region with the expansion of the Panama Canal. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 40 per cent of the world’s commerce passes within a day and a half sailing time of Key West, Florida.

A concern linked to this entry into force is the availability of information regarding the location of port reception facilities in the region. The Caribbean Countries now have one year to populate IMO’s database, the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

Assistance is already planned, and a joint UNEP-IMO regional workshop addressing this matter will be held in Panama in May 2010. Subsequently, the few Parties that do not have yet adequate reception facilities have undertaken to find alternatives arrangements (which includes forming agreements with neighboring countries), and install them as soon as feasible.

Chris Corbin, UNEP CAR/RCU’s Programme Officer for Pollution Prevention, congratulated the Countries for their collaboration on this matter, but also stressed the importance of having the entry into force as soon as possible of the related pollution control agreement for Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution, the LBS Protocol.. This will further assist efforts to tackle the problem of solid waste and marine litter in the region.

Corbin further noted that UNEP, IMO and RAC/REMPEITC will continue to implement activities on marine and land-based sources of pollution, and to assist countries in complying with regional and international agreements’ requirements for the protection of the coastal and marine environment of the Wider Caribbean.

April 15, 2010

caribbeannetnews

Bahamas Blog International

Spotlight on three CARICOM countries

By Oscar Ramjeet:


There is uncertainty about the future of three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries and the media is focusing its attention on these countries and will no doubt continue to do so until there is a resolution.

Top of the list is Antigua and Barbuda, which is still being governed by Baldwin Spencer, although his United People's Party (UPP) controls only six of the 14 seats, but is getting the backing of the Barbuda's elected representative to make it a total of seven, while the Opposition Antigua Labour Party under the leadership of former Prime Minister, Lester Bird, controls seven seats.

The situation is a delicate one following a court ruling two Fridays ago when a High Court judge ruled that there were breaches in the process of the last general election, mainly late opening of the polls, and declared vacant three seats held by three top members of the governing UPP, including the Prime Minister Spencer's seat, and Ministers John Maginley, and Jacqui Quinn Leandro.

After the court ruling, the UPP moved to stay the court order, which was granted by another judge, and later filed an appeal against the ruling of High Court Judge Blenman.

The stay was granted until Friday April 16, when the opposition ALP members can object to the stay of execution.

Meanwhile, Spencer said that his government is still in command of the affairs of the country and that there was no constitutional crisis.

Over in Dominica, the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), which gained three of the 21 seats in Parliament, is boycotting Parliament, contending that there were gross irregularities and the December 18 election was fraudulent.

So far, the UWP has refused to attend two sittings and if they miss the third, the seats can become vacant. But the leader of the UWP Ron Green said that he and the other two elected members, former Prime Minister Edison James, and Hector John, have no intention to attend Parliament until there is electoral reform.

Dominicans, as well as residents of other CARICOM countries, are anxious to see the outcome of the impasse.

Last Friday, the spotlight shifted to the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, when Prime Minister Patrick Manning advised President Maxwell Richards to dissolve Parliament to pave way for general elections. Although he has not announced a date, it is almost certain it would be held next month.

Manning no doubt decided to call a snap election because he is losing popularity following reports of corruption and maladministration, and plans for the two opposition parties, the United National Congress (UNC) under the new leadership of Kamla Persad Bissessar, a former attorney general and the breakaway Congress of the People (COP) led by university professor, Winston Dookeran, to merge.

Reports from Port of Spain state that there are problems for the merger and last Friday the Deputy Leader of the COP, Devant Maharaj, tendered his resignation because he said that" inflammatory and decisive statements were made by party members against the unification process."

Meanwhile, the governing People's National Movement (PNM) has accelerated its campaign and it is reported that the party intends to spent $150 million in its campaign. The money will be spent for T shirts, slogans, rental of vehicles, entertainers. and to pay full time campaign workers.

Some commentators feel that Manning is taking a serious gamble to call elections so early -- just half way his term -- and there might be a repetition of 1995 when he lost a snap election. However, if the opposition parties fail to merge, I have no doubt that the PNM will return to office.

April 14, 2010

caribbeannetnews

Bahamas Blog International

In a kompa state of mind

By Bevan Springer
New York Amsterdam News:


Over the past few months, I have been listening to the creole rhythms of an incredible musical genre called kompa.

As a young West Indian lad traveling around the Caribbean on national tennis duty, I was exposed and attracted to both Spanish and French Caribbean melodies which have contributed to my musical appreciation of the creative cultural sounds that emanate from all corners of the region.

But I am not quite sure what got me hooked on this latest round of musical vibrations this year. Could it be the background music while getting my hair cut at the Haitian barber shop in New York that I have frequented for more than a decade? Or was it because I had worked tirelessly on a fundraiser for Haiti with a fellow islander who speaks French in Toronto? Even as I write this, the sounds of kompa on YouTube are the musical inspiration for this weekly column.

Kompa, the Haitian music with African and European roots, has been adopted and recognized as the national music of Haiti, and it is often featured at Haitian festivals and events, including the three spots I visited within the last week to hear exponents of the art form at their very best.

The first stop was at La Brasserie Creole restaurant in Queens where after enjoying a delectable seafood offering of snapper and king fish with another dear friend from the Caribbean, we then kompa'd the night away to the new generation sounds of Carimi - Carlo Vieux, Richard Cave and Mickael Guirand who along with their versatile band have been releasing big kompa hits since forming about a decade ago.

There were only a handful of people at the Creole restaurant when we arrived an hour before midnight. Four hours later, the place was packed and Carimi must have "shut down the Brasserie" around sunrise. The next day, I invited a friend of Cape Verdean descent, who is also familiar with creole music, but of the Portuguese variety, to SOB's (Home of Universal Music) in Manhattan, for a Haitian Dance Party.

We both enjoyed the kompa vibrations of the Haitian "Music Marshall" Sweet Micky who with his humorous, yet at times overly colorful expressions, left patrons on a musical high after hours of pulsating rhythms which celebrated the spirit of the Creole Caribbean.

And was that enough kompa for me? I guess not, since on Saturday night, I landed myself at the well-appointed and West Indian-operated Moka Night Club and Lounge in Queens where Carimi joined forces with Kreyol La for another night of energetic vibes.

And on Sunday night where was your 38 year-old scribe? You got it. Chez moi in my bed, now with kompa memories on my mind, but more deliberately giving the old bones some rest. As my Haitian friend Caroline would say, the experience was "anfòm anfòm" - an awesome three nights of kompa in "the greatest city in the world"! Until next week mes amies, stay well, restez bien!

April 13, 2010

caribbeannetnews

Bahamas Blog International