Free Movement Labour OECS Grenada July 18 No Pics Ppt

8/9/2019 Free Movement Labour OECS Grenada July 18 No Pics Ppt

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The Likely Impact of theFree Movement of Labour in the CSME

on theOECS Labour Market

Caribbean Regional NegotiatingMachinery

ByA-Z Information Jamaica Limited

Presented byNoel Watson Ph.D

Denise Leander-Watson MBA, B.A.July 18th 2007


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Structure of Presentation

Contextualisation of Study

Data on movement of people into the OECS

a n n ngs rom surveys Focus group findings

Opinions of trade union, trade and other

officials Attractiveness of CSME member states to

labour

Conclusion


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Context as outlined in the TOR

With the implementation of the CSME, the Region isexpected to enjoy benefits such as:

combined market of over six million persons and for theworld beyond

Competitive products of better quality and prices

Improved services provided by enterprises and individuals,

including transportation and communication Greater opportunity for travel

Opportunities for nationals to study and work in CARICOMcountries of their choice

Increased employment and improved standards of living


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Context (cont.)

Concerns about impact of the CSME

Despite these proposed benefits, there are personsconcerned that the CSME will have a negative impacton their businesses and/or their country.

it is perceived that opening up of the regional marketwill, inter alia, result in: An influx of low cost labour and lower skilled service providers

from larger member states who will compete with nationals for

scarce jobs and opportunities and thereby createunemployment and other social problems amongst nationals

A brain drain of qualified persons from the OECS into thelarger member states of the Region where it is perceived thatprofessionals and more highly skilled persons are more highlyremunerated.


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Context (cont..)

Need for Empirical Research

To help alleviate these fears or to developappropriate responses to the perceived negativeimpacts, empirical investigation and analysis is

required to properly inform the decision makers inthe OECS as well as trade negotiators.

This study is intended to shed more light on thisimportant issue through empirical research.

Objective as outlined in the TOR To conduct empirical research in the OECS as well as in a

large CARICOM member state to determine the likelynature, extent and possible impact on OECS economies ofthe free movement of persons in the CSME.


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Background on Study

WhenSeptember 2006 to May 2007Eight day Field Trip Nov. 2007

WhereAntigua & Barbuda

GrenadaSt. LuciaJamaica

Why? To determine the perceptions of persons from the OECS

with respect to the CSME

Permanent SecretariesLabour CommissionersImmigration OfficialsProfessionals

Trade OfficialsRandom people on streets

HowTelephone interviewsFace-to-face interviewsFocus groups


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Research MethodologyTarget Groups

Residents of the OECS OECS nationals living in other

OECS countriesTrade and union officials Jamaicans

Data Collection InstrumentsFour instruments

1. Residents of the OECS2. OECS nationals living in

other OECS countries3. People on streets of OECS4. Jamaicans

Analysis & Reporting Data Entry Data analysis

Draft Report Final Draft Report

Data Collection ProcessTelephone interviews

Face-to-face interviewsFocus groups

Random people on streets

Sample Selection ProcessMixture of OECS residentsMixture of OECS nationals in

Other OECS countriesMixture of Jamaicans

Random people on streets

Presentation

Summary PowerPoint


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Sample Composition and Size141 persons spoken to directly

Antiguans & Barbudans,Grenadians or St. Lucians

Antiguans & Barbudans,Grenadians or St. Lucians living

Focus group attendees Grenada = 10

Antigua & Barbuda = 15

Sample size was 30

Sample size was 9

Randomly selected persons onthe streets of Antigua &Barbuda and Grenada

Sample size was 41

Jamaicans living in Jamaica

Sample size was 20

Officials interviewed St. Lucia = 6

Grenada = 7 Antigua & Barbuda = 3


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Challenges

Coordination of sample selection Had to rely heavily on people on the ground in OECS

Thanks to Labour Commissioners Offices

ocus group Getting the required turnout Data collection

Finding and interviewing OECS residents and nationals byphone from Jamaica

Data analysis Large volumes of data

Report writing Large volumes of information

Massive report


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Main Findings Work Permit Data

Data was received from five OECS MemberStates for the following periods:

nt gua ar u a: - Dominica: 2000 - 2006

Grenada: 2002 - 2006

St. Kitts & Nevis: 2002 - 2006

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: 2001-2006

St. Lucia could not present any data on WorkPermits


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Work Permit Distribution Caricom Nationals

Antigua &Barbuda

Dominica Grenada St. Kitts& Nevis

St. Vincent& the

Grenadines

OtherCaricom

nationals

12,722 1,624 1,540 613 348

OECS

nationals

3,017 192 260 252 79

TOTAL 15,739 1,816 1,800 865 427


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Work Permit Distribution Caricom Nationals

OECS

Nationals

Other Caricom

Nationals

n gua ar u a19% 81%

Dominica 11% 89%

Grenada 14% 86%

St. Kitts & Nevis 29% 71%

St. Vincent & the

Grenadines

19% 81%

Average 18% 82%


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Work Permits Issued: 2000-2006

Work Permits Issued

Antigua

&

Barbuda Dominica Grenada

St. Kitts

& Nevis

St. Vincent

& the

Grenadines TOTALDominica 1610 0 29 37 13 1689

Grenada 212 39 0 13 13 277

Guyana 6594 145 701 363 158 7961

ama ca

Trinidad and Tobago 407 40 590 33 113 1183

St. Vincent & the Grenadines 417 221 83 99 0 820

St. Lucia 359 78 139 37 28 641

St. Kitts 157 25 1 0 3 186

Antigua & Barbuda 0 0 6 71 22 99Barbados 235 46 79 25 40 425

Montserrat 262 10 2 61 0 335

Haiti 0 1142 0 0 4 1146

Belize & Bahamas 0 0 2 2 0 4

TOTAL 15,739 1,816 1,800 865 427 20,647


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Distribution of 20,000 Work PermitsIssued 2000-20006

Grenada

9%

St. Kitts & Nevis

4%

St. Vincent & the

Grenadines

2%

The graph shows that Antigua & Barbuda accounted for over three

quarters of work permits issued.

Antigua & Barbuda

76%

Dominica9%


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Work Permit Distribution by Nationality

Haiti

6%

Dominica

8%

Barbados

2%Other OECS

11%

Trinidad and Tobago

6%

Guyana

39%Jamaica

28%

The Graph shows that Guyanese nationals received 39% of theWork Permits issued to Caricom Nationals.

Jamaican nationals received 28% of Work Permits issued.


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Work Permit Distribution Top 3Nationalities

Country First Second ThirdAntigua &

Barbuda

Guyana - 42% Jamaica - 35% Dominica - 10%

- -.

Grenadines - 12%

Grenada Guyana - 39% Trinidad & Tobago - 33% St. Lucia - 8%

St. Kitts &Nevis

Guyana - 41% Jamaica - 14% Trinidad & Tobago 11%

St. Vincent

& the

Grenadines

Guyana - 36% Trinidad & Tobago - 26% Barbados - 9%


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Work Permit Gender Distribution

Female MaleAntigua & Barbuda 56% 44%

Grenada 18% 82%

St. Kitts & Nevis 30% 70%

St. Vincent & the

Grenadines

27% 73%

Average31% 69%


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Gender Implications

Overall, more men have been issued withWork Permits than women.

en are a e to move more ree y Women are more prone to give consideration to

family before a decision is taken to move


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Work Permit Top 5 Skillcategories

COUNTRY First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Antigua &

Barbuda

Domestic

Workers -

22%

Security

Guards -

14%

Construction

Workers -

12%

Hotel &

Restaurant

Workers -

10%

Sales

Personnel -

8%

Dominica Agriculture -48%

Community,Social &

Personal -

14%

BusinessServices -

11%

Other - 9% Construction- 8%

Grenada Construction

- 32%

Technical

Workers -18%

Singers,

Artists, DJs -14%

Other - 9% Professionals

- 8%

St. Vincent &

the

Grenadines

Other - 26% Managers -

18%

Construction

Workers -

11%

Engineers -

10%

Professionals

- 10%


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Main Findings Skill Certificates Data

Information was collected from four OECS memberstates:

Dominica

Grenada

St. Lucia

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

In the two instances where information was provided

re: age groups: 87% of the persons who were issued with Skill Certificates

were in the 20 44 year age group

On average, 85% of the persons issued with skill

certificates were graduates


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Main Findings Skill Certificates Data

Two types of Skill Certificates in terms offunctionality

cer ca e ssue y e os coun ry w c a ows or e

indefinite stay of the holder as well as the ability to work

A certificate issued by a country to its own nationals, whichacts as a passport, allowing for the entry into a host country temporary stay of 6 months

Dominica 96% Grenada 43%

St. Lucia 65%

St. Vincent & the Grenadines 70%


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Skill certificates distribution 2004-2006Skills Certificates

Issued (2004-2006)

Dominica Grenada St. Lucia St. Vincent &

the

Grenadines

TOTAL

Antigua & Barbuda 0 0 0 0 0

Barbados 0 3 5 2 10

Belize 0 0 0 0 0

Grenada 0 39 3 1 43

Guyana 1 20 20 6 47

Jamaica 0 12 8 2 22

St. Kitts & Nevis 0 2 0 0 2

St. Lucia 0 2 98 0 100

St. Vincent & the Gren. 0 4 2 31 37

Suriname 0 0 0 0 0

Trinidad & Tobago 0 4 11 2 17

Total 25 91 151 44 311


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Distribution of Skill Certificates 2004-2006

St. Vincent & the

Grenada

29%

Dominica

8%

Grenadines

14%

St. Lucia

49%


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Skill Certificate Issued byNationality

Other OECS

8%

Dominica

Trinidad &

Tobago

14%

Barbados

8%

St. Vincent & theGrenadines

5%

Guyana39%

Jamaica

18%

The Pie Chart shows Skill Certificates issued to non-nationals


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Gender Breakdown Skill Certificates

43%

58%52%

64%

57%50%

60%

70%

Dominica

Grenada

St.Lucia

St.Vin

cent&

theGre

nadines

Male

Female

42%

0%

10%

20%30%

40%

Overall Females accounted for 51% and Males 49%


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Business/Stop over Arrivals

Information was collected from five OECS

Data period 2000 to March 2007

us ness rr va s

St. Lucia (2002 2005)

Antigua and Barbuda (2003 March 2007)

Stop-over Arrivals

Dominica (2000 2005) Grenada (2000 2005)

St. Vincent & the Grenadines (2001 2006)


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Arrivals- OECS v Other CaricomNationals

Twenty nine (29%) of the business/ stop overarrivals were from the OECS.

71% were from the other Caricom countries


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Business/Stopover Arrivals: Top 3 byNationality

OECS Member

States First Second Third

Business Arrivals

Antigua & Barbuda Barbados - 21% Trinidad & Tobago -

18%

St. Kitts &

Nevis -13%

St. Lucia Barbados - 29% Trinidad & Tobago -

24%

Dominica - 8%

Stopover Arrivals

Dominica Antigua & Barbuda -

28%

Haiti - 21% Barbados - 13%

Grenada Trinidad & Tobago -

52%

Barbados - 18 % St. Lucia - 7%

St. Vincent & the

Grenadines

Barbados - 39% Trinidad &Tobago -

36%

St. Lucia- 11%


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Main Findings Residency Permit

Received data from 5 countries for the period2001 - 2006:

Antigua & Barbuda Temporary Residence

Dominica Temporary & Permanent Residence

Grenada Residence & Citizenship

St. Kitts & Nevis - Residence

St. Vincent & the Grenadines TemporaryResidence


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Residency Permits issued OECS:Other Caricom Nationals

Twenty one (21%) of the Residency Permitsissued were to OECS nationals

79% were from the other Caricom countries


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Residency Permits Top 3 Recipientsby Nationality

OECS Member States First Second Third

Antigua & Barbuda Guyana - 38% Jamaica - 37% Dominica -16%

Dominica Jamaica - 45% Trinidad & St. Vincent &o ago - 14% t e

Grenadines - 10%

Grenada Trinidad &Tobago - 41%Guyana - 41%

Barbados 9% Jamaica - 6%

St. Kitts & Nevis Guyana - 47% Jamaica - 22% Montserrat -12%

St. Vincent & the

Grenadines

Guyana - 46% Trinidad &

Tobago - 22%

Barbados -

11%


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Conclusion on data trends in regionalmovement of persons since 2000

Guyanese nationals are dominant in terms of labour movementwithin the Region as noted by the number of work permitsissued to them compared with those issued to other CARICOMcountries.

However, Guyanese are not dominant in tourism and otherregional movement as seen by their relatively low numberswhen business travel and stopover data are compared withother CARICOM countries.

Barbados is low in terms of regional movement of labour buthigh in terms of business travel and stopover travel.

Trinidad and Tobago is high in terms of both regional movementof labour as well as stopover travel to Grenada proximity andfamily connection

Jamaica tends to follow a similar path as the Guyanese wherethey are relatively high in terms of movement of labour but

relatively low in terms of business and tourism movement withinthe OECS.


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Main FindingsAwareness of the CSME

High level of awareness in OECS countries

All persons interviewed had heard about the CSME

87% of the OECS respondents living in the OECS hadvisited or lived in at least one other CSME memberstate

A few claimed to have visited all member states except

Belize and Suriname


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Main Findings from Surveys

OECS Residents living in OECS

OECS Residents living elsewhere in OECS

OECS Residents on the streets Jamaicans


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Awareness of categories of labourgranted free movement under the CSME

Level of awareness was relatively lowamongst OECS residents

It was also relatively low

amongst Jamaicans


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Given state of awareness what policyresponses are necessary?

Suggestions from participants


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Appropriate Messages are required

Go and get your SkillsCertificate

From the Ministry of Labour

Might have to use thevernacular where necessary

in the CSME


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Policy Implications based on findingsconcerning awareness

High levelof basic

awareness

Low level

of in depthawareness

Need for

Public EducationPublic Education

To deepen understandingand change attitudes

Social MarketingSocial MarketingTo influence behaviour

A di M di


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Audiences Media

Children Posters, Teachers & pastors, Flyers to take home, Community radio,

Skits, dance, songs (competition)

Adolescents Posters, Teachers & pastors, Flyers to take home, Town criers, Massmeetings, Community radio, Skits, dance, songs

Young Adults Posters, Pastors, Flyers to take home, Town criers, Focus groups,

Mass meetings, Community radio, Skits, dance, songs (bashment)

Adults/Heads of

Households

Posters, Pastors, Flyers to take home, Town criers, Focus groups,

Mass meetings, Community radio, Skits, dance, songs

, , , , ,

Mass meetings, Community radio, Skits, dance, songsTeachers Face-to face discussions, Flyers, Posters, Skits, dance, songs, essays

(school competition)

Police Face-to face discussions, Flyers, Posters

Business people

Face-to face discussions, Flyers, Posters, Focus GroupsCBOs, NGOs Face-to face discussions, Flyers, Posters, Focus Groups

Comm. leaders Face-to face discussions, Flyers, Posters, Focus Groups

PoliticiansMPs and Councillors

Face-to face discussions, Flyers, Posters


40/100

Examples of Media Use forPublic Education

Community communication specialists could be usedto get the messages across

Schools could use essay or poetry competitions as c an r mary sc oo c ren cou carry yers

home in their bags Community competitions Dee Jay, dancing,

community cleanliness Churches could be asked to provide information during

their announcements segment PTA meetings

Community notice boards

Hi-tech media text messages

T t di Pl t h th


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Target audiences Places to reach them

Children Basic Schools, Primary Schools, Churches,

Homes, Scouts, Boys Brigade, Girls Guides

Adolescents Secondary Schools, Youth Clubs, CommunityCentres, Sporting Clubs, courts, complexes or

fields, Churches, Homes

Young Adults Youth Clubs, Sporting Clubs, courts, complexesor fields, Community Centres, Churches, Homes,

At work in community, On Corner

Adults/Heads of Households Community Centres, Churches, Homes, At workin community

Seniors Community Centres, Churches, Homes

Teachers Schools

Police Police stations

Business people Businesses

CBOs, NGOs Monthly meetings

Community leaders/persons of

influence

Homes, Corners, Work place

Politicians (MPs and Councillors) Offices


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Perceptions of the likely effects of theCSME on OECS economies

Persons from the OECSliving in their own countrywere generally quite positive

When rating how they thought the

CSME would affect their economy50% of respondents gave positiveratin s 33% were neutral and onl

Sentiments shared bypersons from OECS living inother countries, as well as bypersons interviewed on thestreets and participants in

focus groupsPositive

50%

Neutral

33%

Pessimistic

17%

Jamaicans interviewed were alsogenerally positive about the likelyeffects on their economy

17% were pessimistic


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Possible policy responses to favourableimpressions of free movement?

Focus on the possible negatives

Do not prepare citizens

-

o not n orm c t zens o pos t ves

Do nothing

Prepare citizens

To compete locally To compete in other states

Give information on opportunities

Give training and certification opportunities

0

+


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Perceived relative earningpotential of labour in OECS countries

Persons from Antigua & Barbuda perceivedHigh

Relative Earnings

the highest in the CSME

Grenadians perceived that their wageswere relatively low

Perceptions were varied amongst St. Lucians

Jamaicans interviewed generally perceivedthat salaries were higher in other CSME

countries than in Jamaica.

Med

Low


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Willingness to move to work or live inanother CSME member state

60% of respondents claimed they would be prepared to moveon a temporary basis to live or work in another CSME country

Only 17% were definitive about being prepared to move

With respect to temporarymovement, there is seemingly aninverse correlation between thedomestic wage level and willingnessto move

a higher percentage of Grenadiansfollowed by St. Lucians and then

Antiguans were prepared to move

Grenadians

St. Lucians

Antiguans

DomesticW

ageLevel

Temporary willingness to move

65% of Jamaicans interviewedclaimed they would be prepared tomove on a temporary basis.


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Willingness to move to work or live inanother CSME member state(cont)

The analysis also revealed aninverse relationship betweenage and willingness to move

There is a high level ofinertia with respect topermanent movement as

on a emporary as s - o er

persons were less prepared tomove.

The analysis showed that menare more willing to move on a

temporary basis than females. Married women, regardless of

dependents, were leastfavourably disposed tomoving.

degree of love & loyalty totheir country.


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Implications of findings

The profile of the person that will be mostre ared to move is

Younger Unmarried

Male

Higher income


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Implications of findings (cont)

In the Re ion Mode 4

trade in servicescould be activebecause of the highpropensity to move

temporarily

Mode 2: Movement of consumer

Mode 3: Commercial Presence

Mode 4: Temporary Movement


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Ranking of CSME member states asdesirable destinations to work or live

Residents of the OECS ranked Barbados as the most desirableCSME member state to live or work in

Safe

Good standard of living (despite the high cost of living) Good opportunities

Good infrastructure

Many attributes of a developed country.

Close geographical proximity to the OECS

Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica were joint second in terms ofthe number of times they were ranked in the top four

Perception of crime reduced the desirability of both Jamaica andTrinidad & Tobago even though numerous attractive featuresabout both countries were identified.


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Ranking of CSME member states asdesirable destinations to work or live(cont)

If all the OECS countries were aggregated, the OECS as a sub-region was far more popular than Barbados or any other singlecountry mainly because persons felt a sense of familiarity andbelonging.

OECS citizens living outside of their home country selected St.Kitts & Nevis as the most popular country in terms of desirabilityfollowed by St. Lucia and Barbados.

Suriname is the only CSME member state that did not feature at all

as a desirable place, this could be a reflection of a languagebarrier and lack of familiarity.

Jamaicans also selected Barbados followed by Trinidad &

Tobago as their most desirable CSME countries to work or live.


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Policy Implications from findings

Other CSME member states should considerbenchmarking Barbados in terms of economic andsocial development

that Suriname is part of the CSME and there may beopportunities Crime is a major inhibitor of the free movement and

trade in services

OECS member states should introduce crime preventionstrategies Community policing Youth clubs for youth Mentoring programmes for young men

Parenting training for young mothers


52/100

Possible threats from free movementof labour identified by interviewees

Increase in crime and the number of criminals

Increase in fraudulent business activities

-

Development of slums as unskilled persons enter andaccept low paying jobs or are unable to find jobs

Lower wage structure and standard of living as the influx

of foreigners pushes wage rates down Loss of jobs as

more skilled foreigners from countries with universities enter themarket

unskilled foreigners are prepared to accept lower wages.


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Threats from free movement of labour(cont)

Loss of capital as wages and profits are remitted out ofthe country

Reduction in the availabilit of land as forei nerscompete for land given that the Alien LandholdingRestrictions have been recommended for removal forCSME residents

Increase in property prices as more persons compete

for land. In some countries the brain drain may exceed the

brain gain thus leaving the country relatively short ofthe skills necessarily to facilitate optimal growth and

development.


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Threats from free movement of labour(cont)

Some saw it as an opportunity as the influx of skillswould benefit the economy.

movement is not a threat and has been happening foryears, especially in Antigua & Barbuda.

JamaicansJamaicansThe main threats to Jamaica were in terms of wagerates being driven down and the culture being diluted.


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Policy Implications from Threats Identifiedby Residents, Nationals & Officials

Government should pay careful attention and considersetting up a monitoring agency/team to assessdevelo ments CSME Unit . Perha s Re ional

support (RDF) could be sought to deal with suchmatters

Social

Crime, anti-social behaviour, etc

Economic Wage rates, capital flight, land and property issues, brain drain,

etcEstablish or utilize existing public, private and civil society agenciesand groups to figure out how to obviate or deal with emerging

problems


56/100

Readiness of the OECS for the FreeMovement and CSME

The OECS was not perceived to be fully readyfor free movement and CSME

o not ave t e tert ary eve tra n ng nst tut ons

to provide the level of certification required to make tradespeople and other workers competitive in a regional marketwhere labour movement is free

There has been insufficient public education

Many residents of the OECS are not fully aware of theopportunities and threats and the preparations they need tomake to operate optimally within the CSME


57/100

Policy Implications

Government of OECS countries shouldconsider

ett ng up tra n ng nst tut ons, suc as

H.E.A.R.T in Jamaica to certify tradespeople Funded by a special 2% payroll tax

Cold initially start with one or two in the sub-

Region Collaborating with organisations such as

H.E.A.R.T to set up certification programmes

Include on-the-job certification


58/100

Attitudes towards free movement for allcategories of labour(Favourable)

More than 63% of respondents feltthat all categories of labour shouldbe able to move freel All categoriesAll categories

Not in favour of discriminationbetween categories

Region needs a mixture of both skilledand unskilled labour to develop andunite

imbalances and disunity are beingcreated by restricting the movement ofcertain categories.

should moveshould move

freelyfreely

>63%>63%


59/100

Attitudes towards free movement forall categories of labour(Unfavourable)

Region needs more skilled not unskilled people

Onus should be on the unskilled to get skills so they

development of the Region. Some fear that if unskilled persons move freely,

they may end up unemployed

Anti-social behaviour may result which may adverselyaffect the development and growth potential

such as crime


60/100

Jamaican attitudes towards freemovement for all categories of labour

85% of Jamaicansinterviewed felt that all All categoriesAll categories

categories of labour shouldbe granted free movement

Not in favour of discrimination

However, there was some

skepticism

of labourof labour

should moveshould movefreelyfreely

85%85%


61/100

Impact of increased competition for jobs

Nearly all respondents feltthere would be anincreased level of

Some felt that therewill not be any greatre ional movement

competition for jobs Not necessarily a threat

because it should result ingreater efficiency andhigher standards

Increased competitionwould be offset by theincreased opportunities

of persons becausemany factors apartfrom jobs determinewhether peoplemove.


62/100

Job opportunities as a result of thefree movement of labour and the CSME

73% of OECS respondents claimed that freemovement of labour should increase job opportunities Greater effective market size

of greater need

As long as a regional vision and planning are put in place,investment will increase to take advantage of resourcesavailable all across the Region

Concerns

Businesses may move from one member state to another totake advantage of lower cost labour thereby creatingunemployment in the country that they leave

75% of Jamaicans interviewed also felt more job opportunities

would become available as a result of the CSME


63/100

Policy ImplicationsEmphasis on Continuous Training

Government, unions and private sector shouldencourage all citizens to view continuous training asone of the best wa s to deal with com etition

To deal with persons from elsewhere CSME To capitalize on opportunities elsewhere in the CSME and in

the world

Putting in place the necessary training facilities and PublicEducation would certainly help


64/100

Important factors that make OECS peoplewant to remain in their homeland

In terms of attributes that wouldinduce respondents to remain intheir homeland the six most

important in order of rank were:1. The desire to contribute to their

country

2. Close family ties

3. Low crime rate4. Job prospects

5. Earning potential

6. Education system.

A nationalistic factor followed

by two sociological factors andthen two economic factorsemerged as most important formaking OECS residents wantto remain in their homeland


65/100

Important factors that would inducemovement to another member state

In terms of attributes of anotherCSME country that would induceres ondents from the OECS to

move, the six most important inorder of rank were:

1. Low crime rate

2. Earning potential

3. Education system4. Job prospects

5. Social services

6. Governance

After the social factor of lowcrime, labour market (economic)factors emerged as veryimportant as did the educationand governance systems.


66/100

Factors that determine movement forJamaicans

For Jamaicans, thetop six factors thatmade them want to

For Jamaicans, thetop six factors thatwould induce them to

1. Closeness to family2. Culture3. Entertainment and

recreation4. Job prospects

5. Desire to contribute tocountry6. Earning potential

country were:

1. Earning potential2. Job prospects3. Low crime rate4. Education system

5. Social services6. Friends

Overall for Jamaicans, social factors are the most important inkeeping them at home, whereas economic factors are the mostimportant in terms of inducing them to leave.


67/100

Policy Implications

To prevent a brain drain develop policies that focus on The importance of contributing to the development of the

country

Strengthening families

Minimizing crime

To foster a brain gain develop policies that focus on

Minimizing crime

Increasing productivity and earning potential Enhancing the education system


68/100

Implications for OECS of free movement

OECS or other member states should not be overlyconcerned about being overrun with persons from otherCSME member states

Many pull factorsact to preventpersons fromleaving theirhomeland

Several important

factors would haveto be in place inanother memberstate before personsfrom the OECS

would be induced tomove

In general, a high

degree of nationallove and loyalty wasdetected amongstrespondents,especially in

Grenada and St.Lucia.


69/100

Main opportunities for the individual inthe CSME

Jobs and business prospects were ranked highest interms of being the most important opportunities forindividuals in the CSME

However, other factors were identified as importantopportunities Opportunities for collaboration

Meeting new people

Entertainment options

Improvements in social services

Cultural improvements

Learning new methods of doing things


70/100

Is the CSME good for the Region?

90% of the OECS residents interviewed from the threeselected countries think the CSME is good for theRegion

.

Many reasons were given for these impressions Benefits of being unified in international negotiations Economies of scale Possible gains from specialization Gains from niche production and marketing A strong regional currency Development of the culture-based industries.

85% of Jamaicans feel the CSME is good for the Region and

gave similar reasons


71/100

Is the CSME good for the Region?(cont..)

On the whole, persons from the OECS arefavorably disposed to the free movement of

The greatest fear of residents of the OECS isthe possible infiltration or stimulation of crimethrough the free movement

A low crime rate was identified as one of the mostimportant factors in the lives of people in the OECS


72/100

Policy Implications

Promote heavily the opportunities in the CSME

Make a lot of noise about the fact that measures

repercussions Such as crime

Put measures in place and announce them on acontinuous basis


73/100

Similarities between OECS andJamaican Perspectives and Opinions

On the whole the analysis shows very littledifference in the perceptions of persons from

.

This finding augurs well from the perspectiveof integration Persons from different parts of the Region are at

similar levels of awareness

There is harmony with respect to perceptions ofthe opportunities and threats presented by theCSME.


74/100

Gender related findings

An extensive gender analysis was carried out based on a sampleof 47 males and 24 females The OECS telephone interviews were combined with the OECS street

interviews to obtain a representative sample for this analysis.

Main Gender Related FindingsMain Gender Related Findings Awareness

Both males and females were found to be highly aware of the CSME

Perceptions about benefits A high percentage of both males and females think the CSME is good

for the Region and the Region will benefit as a result. More males are optimistic about the effects of the CSME than females

Perceptions about earning potential The difference in the perceptions of males and females in terms of

earning potential outside of their home country is not significant.


75/100

Gender related findings (cont)

Preparedness to move

Preparedness to move on a temporary basis Males seem more prepared to move on a temporary basis than their

female counterparts.

Married women re ardless of whether the had de endents were

the least likely to be prepared to move temporarily.

Want to be with husbands

Preparedness to move on a permanent basis

Overall, males are significantly more willing than females to move toanother CSME member state on a permanent basis

30% males expressing a willingness to move permanently comparedto 8% of females.

Married women, especially those with dependents, were the mostuncertain category of all in terms of willingness to move permanently

However, the significant majority of both genders are not prepared to

move permanently.

Gender related findings (cont )


76/100


Visits to andDesirability of other CSMEMember States

CSME States visited Relatively few OECS females seemed to have lived or worked

in other CSME member states compared to their malecounterparts.

The most visited CSME member state was Trinidad andTobago for both males and females.

Desirability of other CARICOM countries to live or work

In the ranking of countries in terms of desirability to live orwork, Barbados was most popular for both men and women

While Trinidad & Tobago was equally popular as Barbados formales, it was far less popular amongst women.


77/100

Gender related issues (cont..)

Greatest threats from the CSME

Greatest threats from the CSME identified by asignificant number of both males and females

Drugs Murders

Other felonies

Locals losing jobs to workers from other CSME

member states Better qualified

More educated

More professional

More efficient


78/100

Gender related findings (cont)Personal job prospects, competition and jobthreats from the Free Movement

Job Prospects In terms of job prospects due to the CSME, males were more

optimistic than their female counterparts

Competition for jobs

87% of males and 100% of females expected increasedcompetition for jobs as a result of the CSME.

However, a high percentage of both males and females felt nopersonal threat for their own jobs and felt they could hold theirown.

The relatively few that felt threatened claimed it was mainly

because of their lack of qualifications.



79/100

g ( )

Opportunities and losses from theFree Movement

Opportunities from movement of labour A significant percentage of both males and females felt that

the greatest opportunity for their country from the inwardmovemen o s e a our was n erms o cross er za on

of skills, professionalism, methodology, technology as localsand nationals learn from each other.

Job opportunities, opportunities for collaboration, andmeeting new people were rated highly by both males andfemales as personal opportunities from the CSME.

Loss of skills More females than males seemed concerned about the

potential loss of skills to other CSME member states due tothe free outward movement of labour.

Gender related issues (cont)


80/100

( )

Factors critical to the decision to remainin homeland or move

Factors critical to the decision to remain in homeland The desire to contribute to the home economy and low crime

rate were in the top three for both males and females.

Malesplaced a higher ranking on closeness to family,

entertainment and recreation, earning potential and friends. Femalesplaced greater emphasis on job prospects, the

education system and church association.

Factors critical to the decision to move to another

CSME state Low crime rate, earning potential, job prospects were top threefor both males and females

However, men rated the importance of the education systemhigher than females who rated governance higher than males.


81/100

Focus Groups

Conducted four Focus Group Sessions:

Two in Grenada

wo n n gua an ar u a

Met with the following officials in St. Lucia, Grenadaand Antigua and Barbuda:

Trade Union

Immigration

Labour

Trade/Commerce


82/100

Focus Group Sessions MainIssues

Generally felt that there is already a fairlyhigh degree of movement amongst labour

population in both countries Opportunities

Accessibility to a larger pool of skilled persons

Diversity and creativity in terms of ideas etc

Learn from the persons with the skills


83/100

Main Issues contd

Threats Tradespersons are not certified because there is

certified persons from other countries

Insufficient trained persons because they are notcampus territory like the bigger member states

Importation of foreign cultures

Increase in certain communicable diseases, e.g.HIV AIDS

CSME was not communicated properly, hencelack of understanding amongst the population


84/100

Focus Groups - Recommendations

Increase the education budget from nursery to tertiary Invest in Training of the workforce e.g. give more

scholarships

oc a mar e ng o n uence a u es o wor an o ra n ng

Develop and implement a three -year plan based on thebenefits to be accrued from the CSME

Ensure the competency of persons who disseminateinformation about the CSME

Alien Land holding Act as it relates to land should be upheld

Small businesses should be protected

More training and certification support from the bigger countries


85/100

Perspectives - Immigration

Three issues emerged: Crime need for vigilance and suggestion that

Health - Trafficking of Persons


86/100

Perspectives from the TradeUnions

Perceived impacts of the CSME: Widen the Job Market

not e mass m grat on n ux o uyanese

workers May depress wages when workers come from

lower waged economies

Public not sufficiently educated

Unions not sufficiently involved in public

education

P i f h T d


87/100

Perspectives from the TradeUnions

Groups most threatened by the CSME: Uncertified Construction Workers (at all skill

Vendors


88/100

Perspectives from the Trade Officials

No mass migration in either direction

Main beneficiaries will be service providers(Mode 3 commercial presence)

Job Creation

Wages not a pull factor in the case ofGrenada but may be for St. Lucia andAntigua & Barbuda


89/100

Perspectives from the Trade Officials

Fears of the Impacts of the CSME: Lack of certification amongst tradespersons

ncrease n cr me

Issues with land Perception that the CSME is for persons with

tertiary education


90/100

Perspectives from Labour Officials

Always been an influx of Caribbean migrantlabour over the years most evident in

Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad &Tobago have campus universities - percapita they can turn out more graduates

Lacking in the Technical VocationalInstitutions which the big four have had foryears - lacking in the critical areas of skilledtraining persons.

S t d S l ti t


91/100

Suggested Solutions toChallenges

Strategies: A Regional Strategy to protect workers and the

disenfranchised

A streamlined Public Education Strategy involving the

Unions, NGOs etc. Harmonisation of Labour Laws and Social Security Systems

(NIS, Health benefits, leave benefits and Pensions etc)

A regional policy on HIV/AIDS

Regional certification and licensing authority for constructionworkers

Adoption of the HEART model from Jamaica skillcertification programme

Rating of CSME Countries in Terms of


92/100

Rating of CSME Countries in Terms ofDeterminants of Labour Movement

Objective Develop and index measuring the attractiveness of each

CSME member state to labour

Variables that determine attractiveness

Wage rates

Level of development

Absorptive capacity of local labour market

Perceived level of safety Perceived openness/welcoming of outsiders

Each variable scored from low to high and then given a valuebetween 1-5 for each member state

Rating of CSME Countries in

Terms of Determinants of Labour Movement


93/100

Terms of Determinants of Labour MovementCountry Wage Rates Level of

Development

Size or

Absorptive

Capacity of

Labour Market

Perceived

Safety Level

Perceived

Openness

Antigua & Barbuda High High Low/Medium High High

Dominica Low/medium Low Low High Medium

Grenada Medium Low Low Hi h Medium

St. Kitts & Nevis High High Low High Medium/Low

St. Lucia High Medium Low/Medium High Medium

St. Vincent &

Grenadines

Medium Low Low High Medium

Barbados High High High/Medium High Low/medium

Belize Medium/low Low/medium Medium Low/medium Medium

Guyana Low Low/medium Medium Medium High

Jamaica Medium High High Low High

Suriname Low Low Medium High Medium

Trinidad & Tobago High/Medium High High Medium High

Scoring of CSME Countries in Terms of Determinants ofLabour Movement


94/100

Country Wage

Rates

Development Size or

Absorptive

Capacity of

Labour Market

Perceived

Safety Level

Perceived

Openness

Antigua & Barbuda 5 3 2 4 5

Dominica 2 1 1 5 3

Grenada 3 1 1 5 3

St. Kitts & Nevis 4 3 1 5 3

St. Lucia 4 3.5 2 5 3.5

St. Vincent &Grenadines

3 1 1 5 3

Barbados 5 5 3.5 5 1.5

Belize 2 2 2 3 3

Guyana 1 2 3 3 5

Jamaica 2 5 5 1 5

Suriname 1 1 3 4 3

Trinidad & Tobago 4 5 5 2 4

Average 3.0 2.7 2.5 3.9 3.5

A-Z Index of Country Attractiveness to Labour

(ICAL)


95/100

(ICAL)Country Overall Score ICAL

Antigua & Barbuda (3)Antigua & Barbuda (3) 19 0.76

Dominica (10) 12 0.48Grenada (8) 13 0.52

St. Kitts & Nevis (6)St. Kitts & Nevis (6) 16 0.64

St. Lucia (4)St. Lucia (4) 18 0.72

St. Vincent & Grenadines (8) 13 0.52

Barbados (1)Barbados (1) 20 0.80

Belize (10) 12 0.48

Guyana (7) 14 0.56

Jamaica (4)Jamaica (4) 18 0.72

Suriname (10) 12 0.48

Trinidad & Tobago (1)Trinidad & Tobago (1) 20 0.80

Average 15.7 0.62

Net Attractors versus Net Losers of


96/100

Net Attractors versus Net Losers ofLabour

Six countries withabove average ICAL

Six countries with belowaverage (ICAL)

ar a os

Trinidad &Tobago Antigua & Barbuda

St. Lucia

Jamaica

St. Kitts & Nevis

uyana

Grenada St. Vincent & Grenadines

Dominica

Belize

Suriname

Net Attractors of Labour Net Losers of Labour

Migratory Trends of People fromCARICOM


97/100

Migratory Trends of People fromCARICOM

North America UK/Europe

People have shown a preference to migrate to North America andUK/Europe and this trend is likely to continue for economic(earning potential)and social (family)reasons

Intra-Regional migration should not be a cause for great fear but anopportunity to develop (like North America and UK/Europe)

Within CARICOM

Importance of Labour


98/100

Importance of LabourMathematics of Growth and DevelopmentMathematics of Growth and Development

We ought not to be afraid of our own labour

We must use our labour to develop We ought to follow the example of the

countries to which our people have migrated

Look regionally at Antigua & Barbuda

Labour + Capitalrow an

Development

CheckNorth America

and

UK/EU

+ Technology/Governance

=

Opportunities in other CSME membert t


99/100

Opportunities in other CSME memberstates

Guyana land and lower cost labour Jamaica high rates of return on capital

,

Belize tourism development opportunities

Trinidad & Tobago natural resources, econ. growth

Suriname land and lower cost labour

Dominica eco-tourism

Conclusion


100/100

Conclusion

Let us correct our weaknesses and developour strengths so we can deal effectively with

along. Our people/labour are our greatest asset

Free Movement Labour OECS Grenada July 18 No Pics Ppt

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