ACM sounds need for standardised free movement process in all CSME countries

…amid challenges faced by media workers

To eliminate the obstacles faced by media workers when moving across the region, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers has highlighted the need for a standardised CSME process across all member states within Caricom.
The Caribbean Community Secretariat on Tuesday organised a sensitisation webinar for regional media workers on the Free Movement of Caricom Nationals within the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). Collaborating on this venture was the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) and the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM).
CSME speaks to an arrangement among member states to broaden the economic space through the removal of restrictions on the movement of goods and services.
President of ACM, Nazima Raghubir shared that for some years, media workers have highlighted various issues regarding free movement and the process accompanying such.
“We do recognise that due to the unique nature of the media profession, recognition of this document poses a challenge, depending on where the media professional intends to work. Different countries have different mechanisms to recognise media professionals and this can pose a number of issues for processing certificates. Among the other challenges is the need for media workers to get skill certificates in their own territory, as well as one in the host country. This is most unnecessary,” the Guyanese media professional underscored.
In this light, she raised calls for countries to synchronise their requirements to enable the free movement encapsulated in the CSME framework.
“If one document has been provided following due process, that document should be recognised as the certificate…I want to sound the need for a standardised process by all countries. This would go a far way in reducing some amount of hassle attached to the process.”
Media workers are one of the original five agreed categories of persons within the Free Movement of Skills regime.
Assistant Secretary General of the Caricom Single Market and Trade (CSMT), Ambassador Wayne McCook shared that technology is poised to transform CSME implementation, and the Secretariat is already revamping its systems for enhanced effectiveness.
“We are revamping certain online systems such as the Caricom Application Processing System (CAPS), Online Companies Registry System and the Community Public Procurement Notice Board aiming to make them more accessible and effective… It is a fact that in many instances, the CSME is judged by the effectiveness of the Free Movement of Persons regime. More importantly, free movement is one of the key promises of the CSME and its effects on Regional Integration is profound.”
Secretary General of the CBU, Sonia Gill was hopeful that this engagement would mark a turning point in the relationship with the key institutions involved in regionalisation.
She expressed, “For too long, Caribbean media are seen largely as pipes through which a greater volume of information must be channelled to the buckets of the Caribbean public. Through today’s engagement and dialogue, it is my wish that we have more appreciation of the lived experiences of those of us who have migrated as workers in the region, in the media sector and otherwise.”
Senior Legal Officer at the Caricom Secretariat, Gladys Young outlined that there are exceptions to the freedom of movement. A national may be refused entry if they present a genuine, present, or sufficiently serious threat to a fundamental interest of the society, such as: national security, republic morals, public order and safety; or health. This action may also be taken to prevent the national from becoming a charge on the public funds.
Countries currently involved in the Free Movement regime include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname; and Trinidad and Tobago. (G12)