Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterMORE JOB opportunities will be made available to Caribbean nationals when the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) becomes effective on January 5 next year in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
Initially, only seven categories of workers will be afforded these opportunities. The categories include university graduates, sports personalities, artistes, musicians, media workers, architects and engineers and their dependents. Eventually, the CSME will be opened up to other professionals.
However, according to information posted on the CARICOM Secretariat's website, persons seeking jobs in another country will need to obtain the Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification from the designated ministry. In Jamaica's case it would be the Ministry of Labour.
DEFINITE ENTRY
This certification will grant applicants a definite entry of six months. During this time period, the receiving country would review qualifications and once that member state is satisfied that persons have met the qualifications, they will be granted indefinite entry.
With less than two weeks left for the CSME to be implemented, The Gleaner understands that the Ministry of Labour is yet to finalise the administrative details of how the certification process will work.
Gerard McDaniel, public relations manager for the Labour Ministry, told The Gleaner, "The administrative details have not yet been worked out. Inter-Ministerial discussions are taking place to fine tune the knots and bolts."
However, according to the CARICOM website, in general an applicant for certification would require a valid passport, certified copies of relevant qualifications and police certificate of character.
In the case of artistes, media workers, musicians and sports persons the following documents will be required in addition to the ones mentioned above. They are: letters from previous employers, letters from national arts, media or sports foundations, or letters from the ministry responsible for arts, sports or information.
