Artisans and domestics of the Caribbean can now tackle the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) head-on with the support of a regional body following the launch of the “Making CSME Work for Artisans and Domestics” project by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC).
The Barbados-based project, which is aimed at facilitating the improved movement of artisans and household domestics under the Free Movement of Skilled Workers Regime in the CSME, is being carried out in 5 countries: Barba-dos, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis and Trini-dad and Tobago. Guyana is the final stop in the five-nation tour.
Under the Free Move-ment of Skilled Workers Regime, a number of persons can move freely within Caricom, including musicians, media workers, sportspersons, artists and teachers. An artisan, any skilled tradesperson, craftsman or worker who has achieved a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) or a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), can apply for free movement.
In 2009, household domestics were granted permission for free movement. However, four years later, there is no comprehensive definition for who a household domestic is.
During a workshop for media workers yesterday, Shantal Munro-Knight, Executive Coordinator of CPDC, explained that the CPDC is a civil society organisation that works to interface between citizens and policy makers to express the people’s voices, concerns and issues. The CPDC, she continued, then tries to negotiate and ensure that those concerns are expressed to the policy makers.
Artisans and domestics were chosen as the target group due to noticeably poor movement of these persons within the Carib-bean. The CSME, which functions on 5 core regimes, is not functioning at the level of effectiveness originally contemplated, Munro-Knight said. The Free Movement of Skilled Workers Regime, she stated, is functioning at 66%.
Munro-Knight pointed out that a major problem facing the CPDC is the mobilisation of artisans. Since artisans fall under so many categories, she said, finding a specific body to partner with that represents them all has been difficult.
Other impediments to free movement include fear of competition within countries and the difficult requirements for the CVQ and the NVQ.
To combat any difficulties, the CPDC has planned a number of activities including advocacy, education and deliverance of support services. Support services will include documentation, registration for free movement, advice on settling in and information on accommodation op-tions. In Guyana, Red Thread will provide appropriate and user-friendly documentation about free movement and registration.
The CPDC will also partner with the media to clear up common misperceptions about free movement and the social and economic impact of the regime within member countries.
Consultant Julius Gittens, who is a communications specialist, stated that the media has a responsibility to inform people, ask important questions that mobilise citizens and tell the stories of these people’s lives that need to be told.
CPDC has partnered with a number of regional organisations including Jamaica Household Work-ers Association and the National Union of Domes-tic Employees in Trinidad and Tobago. In Guyana, CPDC is working with Red Thread and Women Across Differences.
Today, a workshop will be extended to artisans and household domestics in Guyana in an effort to allow one-on-one interface with members of the CPDC.
