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.
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.
If Antigua can help lead this effort, it’ll show that Caribbean unity isn’t just talk.Proud moment for the OECS and CARICOM.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Once again, our nation is setting the tone for progress and inclusion in CARICOM. Leadership in action!