-some opting to return home
Reports are being received of Guyanese being “stereotyped” on the “basis of their appearance”, Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Barbados, Norman Faria says.
David Thompson
In a release on Saturday, he said that Guyanese are worried following a recent statement by Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson on immigration policy changes and are reporting to their Consulate in the island. Faria said that his office has seen a “big jump” in telephone inquiries and walk-in traffic about the implications of the recently announced changes to the Barbados Immigration regulations by Prime Minister Thompson.
On May 5th, the PM told the Barbadian Parliament that Caribbean non-nationals living in Barbados illegally have up to June 1, 2009 to start turning themselves into the Immigration Department, or they will be “removed” from December 1 this year. This applies to all undocumented CARICOM nationals who entered Barbados prior to December 31, 2005 and remained undocumented for a period of eight years or more.
Faria said reports are being received of Guyanese being “stereotyped”, simply on the basis of their appearance. “Yes, it is natural that people are worried about their security and future. Guyanese are human just like Bajans in a similar situation overseas. Their Consulate is there to help and we offer assistance and counselling. It is really heart-breaking to hear of people being here for five and eight years, even more, and hear them making inquiries about whether they fall into the time frame as announced. Some have settled into their neighbourhoods with Bajan companions and friends. We do however have a remigrant programme and we provide information for those who wish to return to Guyana and contribute to the ongoing development and progress there. In fact, some of them are going back”, he said.
“Regrettably, there have been distressing reports that some Guyanese, simply on the basis of their appearance and who may have some form of status such as work permit or residency, are being singled out for attention in places like public transport vehicles. This is wrong and must be condemned. It goes against the grain of time honoured traditions of hospitality, tolerance and decent mindedness in Barbados”, he added.
Faria said that because of protocol restrictions, he could not speak pro or con regarding the Barbados government’s position and will be sending a “full” report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guyana. Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has been unavailable for comment on this matter and has not said anything on it despite the statement being made by Thompson on May 5th.
“I must say that the Consulate is also receiving inquiries from Bajans seeking advice about their Guyanese companions, loved ones and children born here and in Guyana. I have always said that there continues to be good and friendly relations between the Barbadian and Guyanese peoples and the governments over the years and it is my firm belief that right and proper choices that will further cement these long standing warm relations will be made during this challenging juncture for some Guyanese in Barbados”, Faria said.
He also said that the Consulate’s annual “Fun Day/Picnic” will have even more of a “Bajan connection” this year but more awards will be given this time to Bajans. The get together is being held at the Esplanade just outside the capital Bridgetown this Sunday and Prime Minister Thompson has been invited to present the Awards and say a few words.
Thompson in his address to Parliament had also said the conditions for regularisation would include:
• submission to immigration of an application for immigrant status together with all supporting documentation on the prescribed form before December 1
• the applicant’s ability to substantiate the claim that he or she has been residing in Barbados for at least eight years immediately prior to December 31, 2005 – specifically before January 1, 1998.
• the applicant must be currently employed and provide evidence of his or her employment status.
• the spouse or child of an employed applicant residing in Barbados with the applicant is eligible to apply under this new policy
• the applicant must pass through a security background check, and
• applicants with three or more dependents will be considered, but will not automatically qualify for status.
I wonder what he means by their(appearance)I wonder if it’s the same kind of situation like in Guyana where the police harrass certain people because of their appearance?And where in guyana generally you are treated according to your appearance….well I guess its a case of the boot on the other foot!
would that be nice, all foreigners leave barbados alone, even the tourist are currently abandoning the island so they are finding an alternative means to find an excuse for their ??????????????????????????????economy.
its the way they dress behave and most of all speak where ever a guyanese go you will know them by the way they speak thats it i was living in barbados for some time and when people ask me where i come from and i told them guyana they tell my i dont speak like a guyanese but thats just whats happening its not now it has been going on a lone time they just dont like guyanese
I said it once and i will say it again…an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, if you treat me good i will treat you better, if you stab me in the back i will pull out that knife and stab you back, if you slap me i will not turn the other cheek cause i slapping you until i miss.
If the authorities here wanna kiss up to the bajans when they come here that’s their problem, if i was the minister of foreign affairs you better believe they will be treating my citizens better when they are there or else all hell gonna break loose on bajans here…i will have immigrations visiting their work place and checking on them all day….just like how they got the Guyanese there…..
Look, furthermore is better all the Guyanese come back to Guyana or go somewhere else and live..break down everything that yall build over there too….lol.
SandHurst First: AN EYE FOR AN EYE – will leave the world blind. There are many other ways to address your problems
He means that Indo-Guyanese are being stereotyped in Barbados but like everything else he is so weak that he cannot say it in plain and comprehensible words
Debbie,does Guyanese like each other? You only have to come on this site and read the comments and you can tell that there is very little love among our people,yet we ask others to do unto us what we refuse to do unto each other
Fire faria now!
Debbie, whats wrong with the way that we speak. We are Guyanese and should be proud about the way we speak. Who don’t like it, too bad for them. And I will even say, we are the best spoken, out of all of them.
Sandhurst, you are talking about reciprocity of treatment, which is recognized in international law. When the Jamaicans were required to have a visa to visit the Cayman Islands in 2006 the Jamaican government quickly responded by imposing the same requirements for Caymanians affecting thousands who commute between the neighbouring Islands to visit relatives, friends, and for business including visits to the American Embassy in Jamaica which serves the Caymans. It was the respectable and decent response and retaliation of a sovereign nation whose nationals were being treated unfairly. No one questioned Jamaica’s sovereign right to do so and it was justified. She thereby gained respect in the eyes of the international community. Both Cayman and Jamaica felt the impact of each other’s immigration policy, otherwise only Jamaicans would have suffered, from a unilateral immigration move by Cayman. Sandhurst, you therefore make a good point on reciprocal actions by Guyana by Guyana as a measure of equanimity.
SANDHURST, WHEN BAJANS GO GT, THEY SPEND US IN OUR COUNTRY, WHEN WE GO BAJANS, IS TO RIB THEM TRY GET SOMETHING FROM THEIR POCKETS, TAHTS IT HONEY, FACE FACTS
The CARICOM nationals living in Barbados knowingly broke the laws of Barbados but the Prime Minister , David Thompson , have given them six months to regulate their status . What more do people like Dr.Ralph Gonsalves , Sandhurst and many of these anti-bajan bloggers want – the contents of the Barbados Central Bank ????
Until the PPP is held accountable for the continuation of it’s Apan Jhat politics, Guyanese will continue to seek greener pastures in the Islands. What we Indians do not realize is that Apan Jhat politics hurts us too and not only the blacks that it is designed to negatively impact. Look at the stream of Indians who are seeking refugee status either in Canada or the Carribean under the PPP rule.
The PPP has failed the NAtion after being in power for over 17 years. They however feel no need to change since the Indian population through blind loyalty will always vote them back into power.
As soon as guyanese realize that they are not wanted, they will do something.
Wuh they gonna do???? come back to Guyana or protest???
An “eye for an eye” makes the world go blind and that’s just what you are. Go listen to Bob Marley’s song “Wake up and live”
That kind of approach to the problem will accomplish NOTHING trust me.
This is the mind set that hinders real progress in our Dear land, try loving your enemies and you will see real
tangible life changing results.
Wake up and live, y’all,
Wake up and live!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live!
Life is one big road with lots of signs,
So when you riding through the ruts, don’t you complicate your mind:
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don’t bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality, yeah!
Sandman look at this situation indept
Sandman please take a good look at this story and look at it indept. You can’t want to vote race and the leave Guyana to go to Barbados to enjoy another mans hard work.
They should of stay and enjoy the sweet the PPP have to offer after voting race. I agree with the Thompson policy if you Government can’t address your needs why put pressure on me. I have mouths feed too.
What does Ambassador Faria mean by Guyanese are stereotyped based on their looks? As far as I know, all people in the carribean have similar “looks”.
I certainly hope Mr Faria does not use this legitimate request by the Barbadian Government to expell illegal residents as an excuse to stir up racial tension.Some of us have a tendacy to manipulate racism to get our way, we do it to gain refugee status in Canada and England and we manipulate it in Guyana to great disunity. It would be unfortunate if we raise this ugly ploy to manipulate the Bajans…even if successful in the short term, it will only create resentment for us as a people in the long term.
America is asking for its illegals to leave the country. Therefore every country has a right to insist that persons who wish to take up residency do it in a legal manner.
I think he means speech pattern.
IT does not take a GENIUS to know that some people are stereotyped based on their looks especially people of EAST INDIAN heritage……….IT’S HAPPENING EVERYDAY
I wish people would stop being “Naive’ about this situation and face the facts. Firstly Faria is not an Ambassador, hardly even a proper representative of the Guyanese people for he has no formal knowledge in foriegn affairs or international diplomacy. The govenrment of Barbados in my opinion does not hold him in much regard. Secondly, the fact is that an ‘Indo Guyanese is far more recognisable than an afro Guyanese, therefore making them easy targets. While it is understood that each Government must protect their teritory, the way in which the Government of Barbados is carrying out this exercise in horrible. The period of stay of these immigrants brings to question what really is the motive of this exercise. The period looks at persons residing in the island from since January 1st. 1998 while the immigration act. considered persons residing in the island for 5 years or more eligable for immigrant status. As far as I am concerned, persons living in any teritory for 4 or even less years would develop social ties, eg. relationships, either common law or marraige, bear children for citizens or non-nationals alike. With this picture in mind it seems we are headed for a huge social fallout.
Hitman4hire,I know for fact that the Bajans are equal opportunity discriminators. Their disapproval is directed at black Guyanese just the same if they are deemed to be in the country illegally. We Indians need to stop playing the race card in this manipulative way… you and I know it is unwarranted and devious.
Why are Indians going to Barbados illegally when we struggled to put the PPP in power? What is our excuse for leaving the country now that the PNC is removed? Why are we not holding the PPP accountable to the promises they made to us when they asked for our votes?
This race card will backfire on Indians in Barbados because the Bajans will now empathize with the black Guyanese and see us as the manipulative ones.
And another thing… just because someone lived for a lengthy period of time in a country does not make their stay legal. They broke the immigration laws of the country and therefore must be consequenced. Otherwise the Barbadian Government might as well open their airports and let everyone stampede through.
Well, the hour is upon Guyanese to step up and be legalized or face the consequences. What has been put to the table seems fair and hope the processing mechanics will be in favor of Guyanese residing there. I have never had problems going to B/dos or the Bajans per se. As a matter of fact I have a Bajan brother with whom I have lost contact. I tried in 2005 when I was there to reconnect but search proved futile. So REDDY, NAVYSEAL, et al let me know if you have any ideas on how I can re-start my search.
NeNe, I will try to assist should you so require my assistance.
Mr.Faria , you should make it a habit of sending articles to the Stabroek News pertaining to what is actually taking place in Barbados between bajans and guyaneses .
2 guyanese young men were found dead in Trinidad yesterday , foul play is suspected . (See the Trinidad Guardian).
Bajans are not attacking guyanese and they are living and working with bajans . Many guyanese are actually living in the homes of bajans and I hope that Mr.Faria let these things be known in his next article to the SN .
Wiggins, I know the consul well and saw his full press relesae published in the Chronicle last Sunday. It clearly led off, and emphasised, that some Guyanese were worried. It further stressed that Bajans and Guyanese continue to have warm and friendly relations. The dimension about being stereotyped as headlined by Stabroek News was done in a sensationalist way to give a false impression about “conflict”, “controversial” “Race tension”,etc. Unfortunately, that’s what sells papers and attracts a certain type of blogger. Wouldn’t it have been better to have a headline: “Bajans still welcome Guyanese” ?
You got to know this type of business, especially SN with editors with feet on desk looking out window on Robb street for somebody who fall off a bicycle… Peace.
‘Stereotyped on the basis of appearance’? Since Caribbean people tend to have a similar ‘look’ I have to wonder what ‘appearance’ he could be referring to. Hmm…….
It is very undemocratic to prescribe to another country ways in which it must manage immigration. Many countries that have large illegal immigration population move towards regularization of their status, as a means of establishing control. They always establish inclusion criteria so as to avoid confusion in the regularization process. I am truly sorry for that sub set of the Guyanese population, who will be excluded by the very terms and conditions as set out by the Bajan Immigration Department. For those who have to return, you may want to take comfort in one of my personal and favourite quotes i.e. hope is lost when life is gone. If you are a true and thrifty Guyanese, I am sure that you have saved some cash and you can return home and do something worth while with your money. Many of us (including the author) have left the land of our birth in the quest for a “better life” for ourselves and family. Some of us were fortunate to have legal status from day one, while others have found other means within the limits of the immigration laws to achieve legal status. If you have to return, you will have to reconcile with the situation and accept it as a lost opportunity. I wish I could accurately predict your future but I am not clairvoyant and always avoid dealing with the unknown. I am a true Guyanese by birth but a Canadian citizen by choice. I always empathize with my fellow Guyanese and feel the deep pains of defeat when they are targeted and down trodden. Hopefully, Guyana will one day rise to be a successful nation and envy to her CARICOM members. Would that not be a marvelous day…?
Forgive me if I may seem rude. What my Guyanese bros & sis should do is to leave with pride & dignity if they do not meet the requirement or if they are not granted a work permit. There is nothing wrong with going back home. This is your chance to get rid of incompetent people in high positions come 2011 elections.
Amen to that navyseal. I agree with you wholeheartedly
I never understand why people especially Guyanese will go to Barbados to be treated like a third class citizen.I island is nice and all, I was there last year, but I will never go to a country nor island knowing how I will be treated bad.
But then again that is just my opinion.
….AN EYE FOR AN EYE…….
Mrs Murray,
You need to stop saying you never understand why Guyanese will go to Barbados to be treated like third class citizen. First of all, I would say this, they left Guyana for the sam reason you left. Second, I am sure they did not know that they would have been treated the way they are today. Everyone who left Guyana did so in search of greener pastures but unfortunately some could not have made it to Canada like you did.
I eocourage all Guyanese in and out of Guyana, let us join hearts and minds together and pray for each other. Barbados is not the only place getting rid og Guyanese, The Bahamas is also laying off foreign teachers and many Guyanese are teachers here, some of whom have already been dismissed.
Alot of Guyanese work and live in the caribbean illegally however, they contribute immensly to the growth and development of caribbean region. It is said to know that we Guyanese have to go through these measures in order to provide for our needs of ourselves and families. The just hope the Prime Minsiter of Barbados, work with the Guyanese people so that their status can be regularised and not just to trick them to turn themselves in and then deport them because that would not be fair at all. However, on the other hand look at the amount of Barbadian and Trinidadian living and doing business in Guyana, we never hear of the Immigration authorities harrasing them at all.
yeah, we does work very HARD, some of us anyway….
What about the Bajan guy who was granted permission to set-up a crematorium, get land and stuff like that? Look y’all better start protesting the Deputy Mayor Office to run out this interloper. Is he, the deputy mayor, say so.