ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):
PRIME MINISTER Roosevelt Skerrit has given the regional labour movement the assurance that its concerns regarding the free movement of labour within the Caribbean will be addressed by regional governments.
Skerrit, who has led responsi-bility for the free movement of persons under the proposed Caribbean Community (CARI-COM) Single Market and Economy (CSME), met with a Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) delegation on Monday to discuss the issue.
A statement issued after the talks said that the CCL had presented "a statement high-lighting issues and concerns" over the initiative.
The CCL said that while it supported the CSME, it had concerns with "respect to the freedom of movement of Caribbean nationals in the region.
"These included the instances where nationals of CARICOM member states have suffered the indignity of being denied entry by immigration authorities or have been allowed entry only after undergoing intense questioning."
The CCL delegation, which was led by its president, Lincoln Lewis and included its general secretary George De Peana, complained that trade union officials, trained and having experience in industrial relations were not treated as skilled persons under the CSME.
Taken from The Daily Gleaner, Wednesday October 12, 2005
