Migrant Workers: Protection of Migrant Workers: Protection of Labour Rights and Labour Labour Rights and Labour

Market ProgramsMarket Programs

MIGRATION CHALLENGES IN THE MIGRATION CHALLENGES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CARIBBEAN CONTEXT OF THE CARIBBEAN

SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMYSINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY – –

The Experiences of the Republic of Trinidad The Experiences of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobagoand Tobago

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)AND ECONOMY (CSME) The leaders of six Caribbean nations took an historic The leaders of six Caribbean nations took an historic

step in January 2006 when they formally signed a step in January 2006 when they formally signed a declaration giving birth to a free trade zone which declaration giving birth to a free trade zone which allows for easier movement of goods, services and allows for easier movement of goods, services and skilled workers. skilled workers.

Styled after the European Union, The Caribbean Styled after the European Union, The Caribbean Single Market (CSM) will operate initially with Single Market (CSM) will operate initially with Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.Trinidad and Tobago.

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) AND ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…Cont’d… Six remaining member states Antigua & Six remaining member states Antigua &

Barbuda, Dominca, Grenada, St.Kitts/Nevis, Barbuda, Dominca, Grenada, St.Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines have agreed to complete all arrangements to have agreed to complete all arrangements to join the CSM by the end of 2006.join the CSM by the end of 2006.

The adoption of the CSM makes CARICOM The adoption of the CSM makes CARICOM the newest trading bloc to join the the newest trading bloc to join the approximately 194 other trade blocs on the approximately 194 other trade blocs on the world market. world market.

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME) AND ECONOMY (CSME) Cont’d…Cont’d… Trinidad and Tobago currently accounts for Trinidad and Tobago currently accounts for

about 80% of trade within the region. In the about 80% of trade within the region. In the first couple weeks of the CSM, some 2000 first couple weeks of the CSM, some 2000 CARICOM professionals applied to the CSME CARICOM professionals applied to the CSME Unit in Trinidad for certification to allow them Unit in Trinidad for certification to allow them to move freely for work and business purposes to move freely for work and business purposes in the country.in the country.

Snap shot on Trinidad and Snap shot on Trinidad and TobagoTobago

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago comprises the two most southerly isles of the comprises the two most southerly isles of the Caribbean archipelago. Having gained Caribbean archipelago. Having gained independence in 1962 it became a Republic in independence in 1962 it became a Republic in 1976. The smallest nation to date to ever 1976. The smallest nation to date to ever qualify for World Cup Football in 2006. The qualify for World Cup Football in 2006. The Republic gained international acclaim as their Republic gained international acclaim as their Soca Warriors displayed passion and spirit on Soca Warriors displayed passion and spirit on football fields in Germanyfootball fields in Germany

Snap shot on Trinidad and Tobago Snap shot on Trinidad and Tobago Cont’d…Cont’d…

Trinidad and Tobago is the most diversified and Trinidad and Tobago is the most diversified and industrialised economy in the English speaking Caribbean, industrialised economy in the English speaking Caribbean, and has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site and has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. There are proven substantial for international businesses. There are proven substantial reserves of petroleum and natural gas, and heavy industries reserves of petroleum and natural gas, and heavy industries such as iron and steel, methanol and nitrogenous such as iron and steel, methanol and nitrogenous fertilizers. The economy is based on petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers. The economy is based on petroleum, natural gas, chemicals and manufacturing and has been growing at over chemicals and manufacturing and has been growing at over 8%, with services accounted for over 51% of GDP. Recent 8%, with services accounted for over 51% of GDP. Recent discoveries of oil and gas as well as increasing world discoveries of oil and gas as well as increasing world market prices are fuelling a major boom in the country. market prices are fuelling a major boom in the country. Trinidad and Tobago is now experiencing full employment Trinidad and Tobago is now experiencing full employment ie 5.9%.ie 5.9%.

Migrant Caribbean Labour – Migrant Caribbean Labour – some statisticssome statistics

Approximately 10-40% of the labour force Approximately 10-40% of the labour force from the Caribbean has migrated to the OECD from the Caribbean has migrated to the OECD economies since 1960’seconomies since 1960’s

Caribbean persons account for 19% of the Caribbean persons account for 19% of the migrant stocks in Canada and 12% in the USAmigrant stocks in Canada and 12% in the USA

Tertiary emigration rates of 86% for Guyana, Tertiary emigration rates of 86% for Guyana, 83% for Jamaica and 78% for Trinidad and 83% for Jamaica and 78% for Trinidad and TobagoTobago

Source: ILO, Caribbean labour migration: Minimizing losses and optimizing benefits, Dr. Andrew Pienkos

Migrant Caribbean Labour – Migrant Caribbean Labour – some statistics cont’d… some statistics cont’d…

Statistics show that CARICOM nationals Statistics show that CARICOM nationals account for just over one-half of all flows account for just over one-half of all flows within the region (52%).within the region (52%).

Between 1990 – 2000 the stock of migrant Between 1990 – 2000 the stock of migrant workers within the region has increased by workers within the region has increased by 18%18%

Migrants accounted for 39% of the population Migrants accounted for 39% of the population in the Cayman Islands, 36% in Anguilla and in the Cayman Islands, 36% in Anguilla and 36% in the British Virgin Islands36% in the British Virgin Islands

Migrant Labour in T&T – a Migrant Labour in T&T – a twofold challenge.twofold challenge.

TRADITIONAL OUTFLOWSTRADITIONAL OUTFLOWS We continue to face traditional outflows of We continue to face traditional outflows of

professionals in certain fields, namely, professionals in certain fields, namely, medicine (doctors), nurses and teachers.medicine (doctors), nurses and teachers.

CSAWP with Canada since 1967 – CSAWP with Canada since 1967 – approximately 1500 farm workers annually.approximately 1500 farm workers annually.

Migrant Labour in T&T – a Migrant Labour in T&T – a twofold challenge.twofold challenge.

DERIVED DEMANDDERIVED DEMAND Development/expansion of the Public Sector eg. Development/expansion of the Public Sector eg.

10,000 houses per annum; construction of three (3) 10,000 houses per annum; construction of three (3) aluminuim smelter plants; second steel plant etc.aluminuim smelter plants; second steel plant etc.

Trade liberalization – private sector fuelled economy Trade liberalization – private sector fuelled economy (International construction companies eg. Bechtel (International construction companies eg. Bechtel require large numbers of specialised workers)require large numbers of specialised workers)

Footnote:- Trinidad and Tobago is a net importer of Footnote:- Trinidad and Tobago is a net importer of migrant labour eg. Doctors, nurses, construction migrant labour eg. Doctors, nurses, construction workers, natural gas, specialists, aluminium workers, natural gas, specialists, aluminium construction specialists.construction specialists.

Sources of Migrant Labour.Sources of Migrant Labour. Republic of Cuba – doctors, nursesRepublic of Cuba – doctors, nurses UN Volunteers – UNDP – medical personnel UN Volunteers – UNDP – medical personnel Republic of the Phillipines – doctors, nurses, Republic of the Phillipines – doctors, nurses,

pharmacists, engineers, quantity surveyors, architects, pharmacists, engineers, quantity surveyors, architects, Auto Cad technicians etc.Auto Cad technicians etc.

Skilled workers from CSME – eg. Masons, carpenters Skilled workers from CSME – eg. Masons, carpenters etc.etc.

Skilled workers from the Republic of China – Skilled workers from the Republic of China – construction, welders; steel benders; specialty chefsconstruction, welders; steel benders; specialty chefs

Pre-fabricators from Columbia –Pre-fab housesPre-fabricators from Columbia –Pre-fab houses UK based security personnel (Scotland Yard)UK based security personnel (Scotland Yard) Medical Hospital on the sea Medical Hospital on the sea

Migration – The experiences of Migration – The experiences of Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago

For the year 2005, 4,434 work permits were For the year 2005, 4,434 work permits were issued, an increase of 1,528 or 52.6% over issued, an increase of 1,528 or 52.6% over the previous year 2004 the previous year 2004

The largest number of permits issued 1,457 The largest number of permits issued 1,457 or 32.9% of the total permits issued was in or 32.9% of the total permits issued was in the Petroleum and Gas Industrial Group, an the Petroleum and Gas Industrial Group, an increase of 740 or 103.2%. increase of 740 or 103.2%.

During the period 2001-2005 work permits During the period 2001-2005 work permits issued increased significantly by 3,750 or issued increased significantly by 3,750 or 548.2%, from 684 in 2001 to 4,434 in 2005. 548.2%, from 684 in 2001 to 4,434 in 2005.

Trinidad Experience – Cont’d…Trinidad Experience – Cont’d…

Over the period 2003-2006 the Government of Over the period 2003-2006 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago recruited, given human Trinidad and Tobago recruited, given human resource shortages, some 150 doctors and resource shortages, some 150 doctors and nurses from the Republic of Cuba and over nurses from the Republic of Cuba and over 150 nurses and 50 pharmacists from the 150 nurses and 50 pharmacists from the Republic of the Philippines. Also 100 UNV Republic of the Philippines. Also 100 UNV doctors.doctors.

Major ChallengesMajor Challenges

Opposition from the professional bodies, Opposition from the professional bodies, Medical Board, Nursing Council and Medical Board, Nursing Council and Pharmacy BoardPharmacy Board

Language/Cultural BarriersLanguage/Cultural Barriers Demand from local Trade Unions to Demand from local Trade Unions to

compensate the locals equally in comparison compensate the locals equally in comparison to the foreignersto the foreigners

Major Challenges Cont’d…Major Challenges Cont’d…

Parliamentary approval to facilitate registrationParliamentary approval to facilitate registration Accommodation, Visas, security bonds for work Accommodation, Visas, security bonds for work

permitspermits Greater inflows from Caribbean islands than outflowsGreater inflows from Caribbean islands than outflows Recruitment of skilled and professional workers – Recruitment of skilled and professional workers –

balancing public sector and private sector interestsbalancing public sector and private sector interests Different standards and levels of economic Different standards and levels of economic

development (Regional Nursing Body and CXC)development (Regional Nursing Body and CXC)

Need for closer linkages between the Need for closer linkages between the University of the West Indies and line University of the West Indies and line Ministries to determine manpower gaps and Ministries to determine manpower gaps and strategies to meet/close them.strategies to meet/close them.

Labour migration policies need to be supported by Labour migration policies need to be supported by measures to prevent abusive practices and measures to prevent abusive practices and promote decent and productive work for women promote decent and productive work for women and men migrantsand men migrants

Migrant Workers – SolutionsMigrant Workers – Solutions

Legislation among CARICOM islands to facilitate Legislation among CARICOM islands to facilitate free movement of labour (Sunset legislation free movement of labour (Sunset legislation World Cup Cricket)World Cup Cricket)

Caribbean Court of JusticeCaribbean Court of Justice OSHAOSHA Minimum Wages Act (non- unionised workers)Minimum Wages Act (non- unionised workers)

Migrant Workers – Solutions Migrant Workers – Solutions Cont’d…Cont’d…

T&T Government offers free tertiary/university T&T Government offers free tertiary/university education to all citizens (including free universal education to all citizens (including free universal pre-school, primary and secondary education)pre-school, primary and secondary education)

Tax exemption to nationals up to $60,000TT for Tax exemption to nationals up to $60,000TT for students studying abroadstudents studying abroad

Adherence/Enforceability of ILO standards – eg. Adherence/Enforceability of ILO standards – eg. Strengthening of the labour inspection compliance Strengthening of the labour inspection compliance function of the Ministry of Labour function of the Ministry of Labour

Migrant Workers – Solutions Migrant Workers – Solutions Cont’d…Cont’d…

New InitiativesNew Initiatives27th Conference of Caribbean Heads 27th Conference of Caribbean Heads

of Government – July 2006of Government – July 2006 SupportedSupported the recommendation for the establishment the recommendation for the establishment

of a Technical Working group to undertake a policy of a Technical Working group to undertake a policy studystudy

AgreedAgreed that special attention be paid tothat special attention be paid to The development of migration policyThe development of migration policy Retention of skilled labourRetention of skilled labour Information system/databaseInformation system/database Information to enhance national capacity; building social Information to enhance national capacity; building social

support systems to respond to the requirements of voluntary support systems to respond to the requirements of voluntary and involuntary return migrantsand involuntary return migrants

Diaspora CommunitiesDiaspora Communities

XV CARICOM COHSOD XV CARICOM COHSOD MeetingMeeting

Agreed Agreed that with the movement of labour in the that with the movement of labour in the CSME, special attention must be paid to implications CSME, special attention must be paid to implications of intra-regional immigration and the policies of intra-regional immigration and the policies required to deal with the issue;required to deal with the issue;

UrgedUrged Member States to cooperate with the Member States to cooperate with the Secretariat in responding to the mandates of the Secretariat in responding to the mandates of the Heads of Government for the follow up studiesHeads of Government for the follow up studies

Tripartite Declaration and Plan of Action for Tripartite Declaration and Plan of Action for Realizing the Decent Work Agenda in the Realizing the Decent Work Agenda in the

CaribbeanCaribbean

Promote in conformity with national employment Promote in conformity with national employment and labour market strategies, proactive labour and labour market strategies, proactive labour migration policies and programmes that optimize migration policies and programmes that optimize gains and minimize losses from migration, help gains and minimize losses from migration, help manage intra-regional migration, enhance the manage intra-regional migration, enhance the regulatory mechanisms and protect migrant regulatory mechanisms and protect migrant workers being guided by the ILO Non-binding workers being guided by the ILO Non-binding Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration (2005)(2005)

XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour (IACML)of Labour (IACML)

To be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in 2007To be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in 2007 The IACML is a special meeting of the The IACML is a special meeting of the

OAS and a vital hemispheric forum where OAS and a vital hemispheric forum where labour Ministers and officials, labour Ministers and officials, representatives of the labour movement and representatives of the labour movement and employers address the issues which affect employers address the issues which affect labour in the hemisphere (including labour in the hemisphere (including migration issues) in the context of migration issues) in the context of globalization and economic integrationglobalization and economic integration

XV IACML Cont’dXV IACML Cont’d))

September 11-13, 2007

July 10-12, 2007

May 2007

Second Preparatory Meeting

Port-of-Spain, T&T

First Preparatory Meeting, Costa Rica (part of Working Group Meeting for XIV IACML – May 8-11, 2007)

XV IACML

Port-of-Spain, T&T

XV IACML Cont’dXV IACML Cont’d

In preparation for the XV IACML, Trinidad In preparation for the XV IACML, Trinidad and Tobago has established a Working and Tobago has established a Working Committee to begin drafting the Declaration Committee to begin drafting the Declaration and Plan of Actionand Plan of Action

One of the key sub-themes of the XV One of the key sub-themes of the XV IACML is the promotion of decent work in IACML is the promotion of decent work in the hemisphere, a key component of which the hemisphere, a key component of which is the protection of the rights of migrant is the protection of the rights of migrant workersworkers

XV IACML Cont’dXV IACML Cont’d

Trinidad and Tobago looks forward to your active participation at the XV IACML

THANK YOU