(Jamaica Gleaner) Commonwealth Caribbean countries could gain more from the emigration of their nationals if policies in receiving countries were more accommodating, says former Jamaican prime minister P.J. Patterson and chairman of the London-based Ramphal Commission on Migration & Economic Development.
Immigrants can fill skills gaps and promote innovation and entrepreneurship in destination countries, the former Jamaican prime minister said at a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, last week. At the same time however, he stated that there are major benefits as well as costs for their countries of origin.
“We are all aware in the Caribbean of the value of financial and social remittances that are made by expatriate communities,” he pointed out. One recent report indicated that Jamaica gained more in remittances from its expatriate nationals than it earned from tourism along with its bauxite, sugar, and rum exports combined.
However, what also needs to be carefully assessed in measuring the value of migration are issues such as the status of undocumented migrant workers, the deportation of convicted criminals to their home nations, and the problems of human trafficking, he stated.
“There are issues of tremendous importance, particularly to Caribbean nations, such as the flight of skilled and trained workers, including our nurses, our teachers, and scientists to destination countries,” he affirmed.
The Ramphal Commission will be meeting next week to discuss such issues, and hold a public lecture on migration and development tomorrow, followed by a Symposium on Tuesday at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.
Fundamental
Sir Shridath Ramphal told the press conference that migration tends to get overlooked because it is so fundamental to human affairs. He pointed out that, “Every man, woman and child on this planet is either directly or through ancestral linkages, a migrant.”