By Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter 
IT WILL be business as usual for many sports workers, musicians and artistes when the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) becomes effective in the three pioneering countries Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados on January 5, 2005.
Earl Bailey, press officer at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFJ), told The Gleaner "there will not be a major shift in policy." He explained that there was never much of a problem for members of the football team to work or play in other CARICOM countries.
He said that players are not usually required to use a visa to travel to other CARICOM states as they usually work closely with the other states' Football Federation to make the arrangement with their foreign affairs ministries.
Problem, he said, only arises with non-member states in the region that usually require a visa.
Asked if the CSME will open the floodgates for footballers from smaller states, he responded, "There are players (who will want) to enter from other smaller countries to Jamaica but then we would have to be able to afford them. It will be a matter of affordability."
Clyde McKenzie, director of Shocking Vibes, said that the provisions for artistes to work in other Caribbean states without work permits have been in place for some time now.
"I don't think that there is much of a problem to do shows. The provision has been there already. There was always the free movement of artistes," he explained.
Mr. McKenzie, however, pointed out that with the CSME opportunities would be opened up for artistes. "Once you have that economic space, it is always advantageous," he said.
Winston Braham, vice-president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians said that for some years now paid-up members of the Federation have had no problem in getting permits as the promoters in the sister state would usually apply for the permits based on the recommendations from the Federation.
Mr. Braham, however, pointed out that when it becomes effective the CSME would force musicians to lift the quality of their work. "It is going to affect us if we don't put out good material, they will have to pen some good music," he said.
Sports workers, artistes and musicians are among the list of professionals that will be afforded free movement across the region, without the requirement of a work permit when the CSME takes effect, next year. The other groups are: university graduates, media workers, architects and engineers.
