-was seen as more ‘regional-integration friendly’
The previous Barbados administration had sought to host more discussions with the Guyana consulate there about the feelings of Guyanese, Honorary Consul Norman Faria has said.
He also acknowledged that even with the new policy it was not compulsory for that government to seek discussion with him on the matter. The recently announced policy which would see all undocumented Caricom nationals living in Barbados for less than eight years prior to 2005 being sent home, has sparked mixed reactions in many circles.
Faria told Stabroek News that during the Owen Arthur Administration, many times the Prime Minister himself called for feedback on the feelings of Guyanese living there. “There are those who would say that his administration was more regional-integration friendly,” he said. Faria also noted that he had invited current Prime Minister David Thompson to a picnic hosted by the consulate but had received a letter in which Thompson said that he would be off the island but extended best wishes to him.
Many Guyanese residing in Barbados who achieved residence status during the Arthur administration recounted better days and more appreciation for them. “I mean the attitude among them was still present because they are very nationalistic people, but to me they treated us better. The government really influenced the way they treated us then,” one woman said. She was convinced that Barbadians are supporting their government’s recently announced policy regarding undocumented persons as many jobs have already been cut and the citizens expect that those available would be just enough for them.
Another woman said it was not that the previous administration was more lenient with Guyanese but that it seemed to be more facilitating. She added that even back then many Guyanese were ill-treated and sent home. “I don’t see any different. During the campaign Thompson had always said he would clean-up Barbados and that is exactly what he is doing and his people support him. Who are we to be upset?” she declared.
A cabinet committee made the recommendations in keeping with the Thompson administration pledge to deal with the contentious migration issue. On May 5 the administration announced that undocumented nationals had up to June 1 to start submitting documentation for consideration. However, undocumented nationals were asked to submit letters from employers, though it remains unclear whether many would take the chance as employers who hired undocumented persons could be charged as this is unlawful.
Thompson said the conditions for regularisation would include:
• submission to immigration of an application for immigrant status together with all supporting documentation on the prescribed form before December 1;
• the applicant’s ability to substantiate the claim that he or she has been residing in Barbados for at least eight years immediately prior to December 31, 2005 – specifically before January 1, 1998;
• the applicant must be currently employed and provide evidence of his or her employment status;
• the spouse or child of an employed applicant residing in Barbados with the applicant is eligible to apply under this new policy;
• the applicant must pass through a security background check, and
• applicants with three or more dependents will be considered, but will not automatically qualify for status.
The prime minister also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the regional integration process, particularly Article 45 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which provides for the movement of skilled Caricom nationals within the Caricom Single Market.