Transcript THE CSME - Organization of American States

LABOUR MOBILITY IN THE CARICOM
SINGLE MARKET & ECONOMY (CSME)
Steven Mac Andrew
Specialist, Movement of Skills / Labour,
CSME Unit
Three pronged approach to development adopted in July
2007 :
– Deepening and strengthening integration process (CSME)
– Widening of the Community (new Members)
– Full and effective participating in global economic and trading
arrangements (external process / negotiations)
Twelve Member States are participating in the CSME
What is the CARICOM Single Market and Economy ( CSME) ?
CSME = integral part of the Community
CSME = single, seamless economic space
CSME = rules based entity
CSME consists of two main components :
– Single Market
– Single Economy
Key principles in the CSME :
– Equal rights and treatment for all persons of
Member States in the Market
– National treatment(Art 7)
– Most Favoured Nation Treatment (Art 8)
– Exceptions
– Differential treatment
• Less Developed Countries (LDC’s)
• Disadvantaged countries, regions, sectors
KEY ELEMENTS – SINGLE MARKET :
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Movement of Capital
Movement of Skills / Labour
Movement of Services
Right of Establishment
Movement of Goods
Key elements – SINGLE ECONOMY :
– Production Integration
– Harmonisation of Fiscal Policies
– Harmonisation of Investment Policies
– Monetary Integration
– Capital Market Integration and Development
MOBILITY – TREATY OBLIGATION
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Enshrined in the Revised Treaty in Articles
32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 45, 46
Member States obliged to facilitate movement
Movement can occur under Free Movement
of Skills, Provision of Services and Right of
Establishment
FREE MOVEMENT OF SKILLS :
• university graduates
• artistes
• musicians
• media workers
• Sportspersons
• Teachers
• Nurses
• Self-employed, including key staff
FREE MOVEMENT OF SKILLS :
• In February 2007 Heads of Government agreed
to the full free movement by 31 December 2009
• Phased approach has been adopted
• By 31 December 2007 Artisans and holders of
associate degrees, including equivalent
qualifications must be able to move
MOVEMENT OF SERVICES :
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From the territory of one Member State into the territory of another
Member State. Also called cross border supply.
•
In the territory of one Member State to the service consumer of
another Member State. This mode is therefore also called
consumption abroad.
•
By a service supplier of one Member State through commercial
presence in the territory of another Member State.
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By a service supplier of one Member State through the presence of
natural persons of a Member State in the territory of another
Member State. This mode is also called temporary movement.
RIGHT OF ESTABLISHMENT:
•
Engage in any non-wage-earning activities of a
commercial, industrial, agricultural, professional
or artisanal nature; and
•
Create and manage economic enterprises
Experience with Free Movement so far :
• Barbados
1253
• Belize
36
• Dominica
52
• Grenada
93
• Guyana
1355
• Jamaica
900
• Saint Lucia
147
• St. Vincent & The Grenadines
73
• Trinidad and Tobago
1368
• Suriname
28
Related issues :
– Spouses and dependants;
• Freedom of movement extended to spouse and dependants
– Contingent Rights;
• Protocol on Contingent Rights must be negotiated
– Social Security
• CARICOM Agreement on Social Security in effect since 1 April 1997;
– Security
• Security arrangements have been beefed up in the past months
Related issues (continued):
– Human Resource Development;
• Introduction of Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)
– Social Floor;
• Minimum set of rights to be respected in the CSME
DISCRETIONARY MIGRATION POLICIES :
– No obligation to facilitate. Member States have full
discretion.
– Most important form of movement at this point in time
– Will definitely remain so in 2007. In the course of 2008
situation might start to change
MONITORING CRITICAL :
– Actual figures to inform policy decisions
– Security implications
– Free Movement Database
– Immigration Network
CONCLUDING REMARKS :
– Obligation as a result of CSME process
– National treatment to be granted
– Discretionary migration policies will remain dominant on short
term
– Need to consider further management of migration in the CSME
THANK YOU