LISTEN: Antigua and Barbuda Confident in Its Leadership Role on Free Movement

Published
LISTEN: Antigua and Barbuda Confident in Its Leadership Role on Free Movement

Antigua and Barbuda has no immediate plans to join the new four-country free movement arrangement that took effect across parts of the Caribbean last week, and Prime Minister Gaston Browne says that’s a deliberate decision, rooted in strength, not hesitation.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda remains one of the region’s strongest advocates and practitioners of free movement within the Caribbean, particularly through its active participation in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The new initiative, which took effect on October 1, allows citizens of Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to live and work in each other’s countries indefinitely without the need for a work permit or CARICOM Skills Certificate.

It represents a bold step forward under the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) framework, designed to deepen regional integration and remove barriers to the free movement of labour, goods, and services.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/10/06/listen-antigua-and-barbuda-confident-in-its-leadership-role-on-free-movement. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.

Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (7)

  • Juju Bee October 6, 2025, 8:56 AM

    Well Antigua is already an opened port to its fellow neighbors. I was not even aware that we were not part of this free movement.
    Reply
  • D Vaughn October 6, 2025, 2:53 PM

    If Antigua can help lead this effort, it’ll show that Caribbean unity isn’t just talk.Proud moment for the OECS and CARICOM.
    Reply
  • Anonymous October 6, 2025, 4:02 PM

    I agree with the PM. Antigua and Barbuda has always supported regional movement through the OECS. No need to jump on every new arrangement right away. Let’s see how it works out first.
    Reply
  • Ben Simmons October 6, 2025, 4:04 PM

    People forget we already have full freedom of movement inside the OECS that’s Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Kitts, etc. So Antigua ahead of the curve, not behind!
    Reply
  • Lena October 6, 2025, 4:27 PM

    Every country has to act in its own best interest. Our labour market is small and we already dealing with migration challenges. Better to strengthen systems before opening the doors wider.
    Reply
  • Anonymous October 6, 2025, 7:10 PM

    The whole point of CARICOM is to move toward one economic space. Antigua sitting out might look cautious, but hopefully it’s temporary. We need to keep talking about one Caribbean.
    Reply
  • Informed citizen October 6, 2025, 8:13 PM

    Once again, our nation is setting the tone for progress and inclusion in CARICOM. Leadership in action!
    Reply

Submit a comment

More from Antigua and Barbuda

View section