President Bharrat Jagdeo said there is need for Guyana and Barbados to work in partnership on immigration issues affecting the two countries since he does not accept Guyanese being targeted, profiled and treated unfairly in the neighbouring country.
He said his administration has been emotive about the issue in the past, but noted that it is important to address the concerns being raised by Barbados to ensure that people can be treated with decency in the future.
“We do not like it when our people are treated badly anywhere but I have always made it clear that if Guyanese break the laws in other countries then they have to face the consequences,” he stated.
His comments were made in the presence of Barbados’s Prime Minister, David Thompson on Friday last at the annual Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) dinner where Thompson delivered the feature address.
Jagdeo emphasized the need for Guyana and Barbados to collaborate on the issues affecting both countries so that two countries can move forward with the creation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) that advocates the free movement of people across the region.
Thompson, in an invited comment told Stabroek News that they have to be sensible and prudent about how quickly Barbados can assimilate large numbers of Caribbean nationals into the economy and give them the same rights as Barbadians. He said that there are obviously concerns, and that sometimes viewpoints on the issue are heightened and strengthened.
He said that Barbados is interested in meeting the commitments under the CSME, pointing out that they will certainly treat people with the utmost of courtesy and respect as long as they are honest in their dealing with Barbadian immigration officials.
