St. John’s, Antigua – Today, Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Belize – our CARICOM member state – took a major step toward regional integration by implementing a key provision of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Citizens of these countries will now be able to live, work, and study across participating states without restriction, gaining access to health care, education, and other public services on the same terms as nationals.

Leaders have moved to address public concerns about potential security risks and job displacement.

“Any government may refuse entry to a person who poses a genuine threat to national security or is likely to become a burden on the public purse. Equally, any government may refuse entry to a person on the basis of public health concerns, as we learned recently, all of us, in the COVID-19 pandemic. These principles remain in place. They are the guardrails of responsible regional integration,” explained Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley.

She emphasized that this is not just about Barbados. “This is a regional road, and it runs both ways,” the Prime Minister said. “If you choose to exercise your own right to full freedom of movement in Dominica, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines or in Belize, you will enjoy the same right to live, to work without a permit and to study on an indefinite basis.”

Dominica’s prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit described the move as a “win-win for all.”

“Our systems of cooperating, vetting and regional security will remain strong. We’re not lowering our guard. What we are doing is removing unnecessary barriers that have for too long, held back our collective progress.”

Belize has announced a phased approach. Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca said the country will, over a three-year period, adopt the necessary laws and regulations to support full free movement. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Belize should be proud of our commitment to CARICOM.”