The Belize unemployment rate is stated at 12.9% (2003). That would put our unemployed somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-25,000 persons. Belize City population is app. 70,000.
Population below the poverty line is stated at 33% (1999 est.)
Highly skilled workers are in shortage and those who bring in money that will create jobs for Belizeans are most welcomed.
Free Movement in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)
The free movement of skills initiative originated in the 1989 Grand Anse Declaration, but the original concept has been modified over the years in order to facilitate the implementation of this mandate.
Basically, free movement of skills entails the right to seek employment in any Member State and the elimination of the need for work permits and permits of stay.
It is important to note from the outset that free movement is an important pillar of any genuine single market and economy, thus also the CSME.
Article 45 of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas therefore states that:
"Member States commit themselves to the goal of the free movement of their nationals within the Community".
Furthermore, in Article II, Respect for Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, of the Charter of Civil Society, the following is included as one of the fundamental humans rights and freedoms :
"Freedom of movement within the Caribbean Community, subject to such exceptions and qualifications as may be authorised by national law and which are reasonably justifiable in a free and democratic society".
Notwithstanding the above, the Conference decided to implement free movement of skills in a phased approach, but the ultimate goal is free movement for all.
The process of freeing up the movement of all nationals will continue well beyond 31 December 2005 when the key elements of the CSME must be in place.
Definition of Categories for free movement of skills
Graduates are persons who have obtained at least a Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university.
Media Persons are persons whose primary source of income is drawn from media and media-related work or persons who are qualified to enter this field.
Artists are persons who are active in or qualified to enter a particular field of art with the specific purpose to earn a living.
Musicians are persons who are active in or qualified to enter a particular field of music with the specific purpose to earn a living.
Sportspersons are persons who are active in or qualified to enter a particular field of sports with the specific purpose to earn a living as a professional or semi-professional.
Free Movement of University Graduates:
In July 1995 the Conference of Heads of Government agreed that, with effect from January 1996, CARICOM Nationals, who are University Graduates, should be allowed to move freely in the Region for work purposes, thereby eliminating the need for work permits and permits of stay.
In order to operationalise this mandate Member States had to complete a number of legal steps, such as enacting and proclaiming legislation.
The Secretariat tried to facilitate this process by providing Member States with model legislation on the free movement of skills. Member States thus had to adjust the model legislation to their specific domestic needs and enact and proclaim it.
Member States furthermore had to put in place the necessary administrative and procedural framework in order to process applications under their free movement of skills act.
So far, twelve Member States have enacted legislation and put in place the necessary administrative arrangements to give effect to the mandate of the Conference.
Montserrat still needs to undertake the legal steps and put in place the necessary administrative framework, but in order to proceed with these steps entrustment from the United Kingdom is needed.
Antigua and Barbuda is currently correcting a flaw in the order, which operationalised the free movement of skills, so applications can not be processed at this point in time. The expectation is that the processing of applications will resume shortly.
This means that currently University Graduates should be able to work in all Member States without the need for a work permit and permit of stay, except in Montserrat en Antigua and Barbuda.
Free Movement of Artistes, Sports Persons, Musicians and Media Workers:
In July 1996, the Conference expanded the categories of persons allowed free movement for work purposes to include Artistes, Sports Persons, Musicians and Media Workers.
In order to give legal effect to this mandate, Member States also had to or must still enact or amend legislation and put in place the necessary administrative and procedural framework.
Currently, the free movement of these categories is in place in all Member States, except Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis.
The following criteria will be applied to determine if a person is a media worker, artistes, musicians or sportsperson:
Criteria for Media Workers :
Media persons are persons whose primary source of income is drawn from media and media-related work. Such persons perform functions of :
media managers and administrators
editors and sub-editors
reporters, producers, announcers and broadcasters
camera operators, sound engineering and video technicians, production workers (in the print and electronic media, etc.), graphic artists, cartoonists and photographers
administrators and editorial departments, programming departments and newsrooms
other related personnel whose functions are not here classified
Criteria for Sportspersons
Professional Athletes :
Athletes who are registered or are registering themselves as a professional or semi-professional
Coaches :
Qualifications at a specified level obtained from an International Association or Regional and International Institution as approved by the Regional Federation of the specific Sport
Minimum period of practice and experience at a specified level of the Sport
Affiliation to the respective Sport Federation
The specific Professional Standards for cricket, football and athletic coaches as proposed by the Regional Associations are set out below :
I. Cricket Coaches :
WICB Senior Coaching Certificate
Must have been attached to or involved in coaching at the territorial level (i.e. under 15, under 19, etc.0 within the past 3 years
Affiliated to the National Cricket Association
II. Football Coaches :
Diplomas from reputable institutions, e.g. :
- FIFA Level III Coaching Certificate
- Brazil Football Academy Coaching Diploma
- Football Association of England Coaching Diploma
Practicing within the last 18 months
Affiliated to the National Football Federation
III. Track and Field Coaches :
IAAFCES Level II Coaching Certificate in the following specific areas :
- sprints and hurdles
- middle and long distance running
- throws and jumps
or
A Diploma in Coaching from a reputable Institution
Practical experience within the past 24 months
Affiliated to the National Athletic Association
Criteria for Artistes and Musicians :
I Artistes (visual, plastic, performing, literary, folk, carnival) :
impact in area of activity at community or national
record of awards from professional or national body
record of employment in the field
II Technician (stage managers, road managers, light/sound operators, etc.) :
Impact in area of activity at national level
Track record in specified area
Evidence of special training in the specific field
III Support Staff (road crew, etc.) :
Attachment to Artistes / Musicians
IV Arts Educator who is a Non-University Graduate :
qualifications suitable to the level of operation within the education system
evidence of special training in the specific field
Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification:
Critical to the process of moving to other Member States for work purposes is the Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification, which can be obtained from the designated Ministry in your home country or host country.
The designated Ministries in our Community are :
Antigua and Barbuda Ministry responsible for Labour
Barbados Ministry responsible for Immigration / Immigration Department
Belize Ministry responsible for Immigration / Immigration Department
Dominica Ministry responsible for Immigration
Grenada Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs
Guyana Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs
Jamaica Ministry responsible for Labour
St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry responsible for National Security and Immigration
Saint Lucia Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ministry responsible for Immigration
Suriname Ministry responsible for Labour
Trinidad and Tobago Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs
The Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification should facilitate your entry into another Member State. You will be granted a definite entry of six months, if you enter a Member State with a Certificate issued by your home country or a Member State other than the receiving country.
During this time period your qualifications will be reviewed by the receiving country and once that Member State is satisfied that you have met the qualifications, you will be granted indefinite entry.
The designated Ministry in your home or host country can be contacted for information on documents needed and the steps, which you must take to obtain a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification.
However, in general, an applicant needs to submit the following information :
- a valid passport;
- certified copies of relevant qualifications;
- police certificate of character.
In the case of artistes, media workers, musicians and sportspersons the following documents will be required in addition to the once mentioned above :
- letters from previous employers, and / or
- letters from national arts, media or sports foundations; and /or
- letters from the Ministry responsible for arts, sports or information
Free movement of the other Chapter III, previously Protocol II categories:
Chapter III of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas provides for the free movement of non-wage earners, either as service providers and/or to establish businesses, including managerial, supervisory and technical staff, and their spouses and immediate family members.
The free movement of these categories will be dealt with as part of the Programme for the Removal of Restrictions, which came into effect on March 1, 2002.
This programme must be completed by December 31, 2005 by all Member States, but by December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 some restrictions must have been removed by Member States.
Work permit requirements are the main labour / immigration-related restrictions in this Programme.
Ministries with Responsibility for Free Movement of Skills in Member States
The Free Movement of Skills in not being handled by the same Ministry in each Member State participating in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, so persons who are planning to move must contact the following designated Ministries for information:
Antigua and Barbuda Ministry responsible for Labour
Barbados Ministry responsible for Immigration/
Immigration Department
Belize Ministry responsible for Immigration
Immigration Department
Dominica Ministry responsible for Immigration
Grenada Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs
Guyana Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs
Jamaica Ministry responsible for Labour
St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry responsible for National Security and Immigration
Saint Lucia Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ministry responsible for Immigration
Suriname Ministry responsible for Labour
Trinidad and Tobago Ministry responsible for Caribbean Community Affairs