The spouses and dependents of Caricom nationals who are holders of CSME Skilled National Certifi-cate here will be given similar rights under amendments of the Free Entry of Skilled Nationals Act, which were unanimously approved on Thursday by the National Assembly.
“Guyana is a friendly country and we welcome our brothers and sisters from the Caribbean with open arms. Today we are putting some additional legal mechanisms in place to ensure that their stay in Guyana will be worthwhile and enjoyable,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
She explained that the holders of the certificates will also be allowed to work while their certificates are being verified and their spouses can work without a permit after their partner’s documents would have successfully passed through the documentation process. The amendments
were tabled by Rodrigues-Burkett, who emphasised that while insularity does exist in some quarters, Guyana must not cease to work towards ensuring that the integration movement benefits all peoples.
“Let’s say a pilot comes to Guyana and brings his spouse, his spouse can only work if she gets a work permit which is discretionary.
The amendments at clause 4 allow the spouse the right to engage in gainful employment or other occupation without having to apply for a work permit once the certificate of the principal beneficiary is verified and indefinite duration is granted,” Rodrigues-Birkett explained.
Further, the amendments will also see that no restrictions are placed on the spouse and dependents of the principal beneficiary in relation to their freedom of movement, including the freedom to leave and re-enter Guyana without further permission.
Rodrigues-Birkett made reference to the Shanique Myrie case and its ruling, saying that it should remind the House of the sacred duty to protect and safeguard the travelling public from unnecessary victimisation at the hands of those who man the country’s borders.
The minister said her government remains committed to the ideals of regionalism and its fundamental principles thus striving ahead in relation to its regional commitments to the Caricom Single Market.
She also called on sister Caricom states to put legislative systems in place so that the dependents of Guyanese skilled nationals, in those countries, will be legally protected.
Both APNU and the AFC voiced their support for the amendment bill in the Assembly on Thursday.
