The Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) has issued a call for all undocumented Caricom nationals living in Barbados to regularize their status and has urged law enforcers to treat each case dispassionately.
Monday is the deadline for all undocumented non-nationals living on the island to make themselves available to the immigration department for consideration for regularisation following an announcement by Prime Minister David Thompson. The move is part of the government’s effort to clamp down on illegal immigrants.
Lincoln lewis
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CCL said that to publicly attack the efforts of the Thompson administration without seeking first to have constructive engagement could be seen as a process of undermining the sovereignty of Barbados.
It further stated that the argument that the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) is in crisis because of Barbados’ action has no place in the debate. “What we should be confronting and debating are the failures of some Caricom governments in discharging their responsibility to their citizens… We cannot have governments in this region who are prepared to put systems in place to force their citizens to migrate to other countries by abrogating their responsibility to create jobs for their citizens,” the statement said.
Compiled by its General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, the CCL statement also noted the body’s concern over whether the posture embraced by some leaders in reaction to Barbados’s position will help in sustaining the current integration process.
It said too that any argument for the free movement of persons without management could be seen as being irresponsible. “The CCL therefore urges that free movement under the CSME must be done within the context of a regional economic plan.
It is known that every country is involved in national planning and every added person that provision has not been made for under this planning, increases the shock on the country’s social system. These are the issues that help to create and increase inner city slums, xenophobia and crime,” it said.
From the trade union standpoint, CCL said it sees any process that encourages illegal immigrants as one where individuals would be exploited in the form of low wages and poor working conditions, which ultimately would contribute to suppression of wages and working conditions that fly in the face of the Decent Work Agenda in the Caribbean.
It noted too that the problems that confront us must be seen as a shared responsibility by respective Caribbean governments.
Last weekend, President Bharrat Jagdeo at a special meeting of Caricom Heads raised the matter with Thompson. Jagdeo said he went to the meeting to ensure the rights of his people living in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are not trampled upon by immigration authorities there.
If in another few days the undocumented Guyanese and other Caricom nationals do not to turn themselves into immigration authorities to be considered for regularisation of their status they will be “removed” by December 1 this year.
Many Guyanese in Barbados are employed in the informal sector and construction and despite some level of exploitation from some employers, are said to be hard and reliable workers.
Many families here are supported by relatives living there and so would be affected financially and otherwise if many of them were to be sent home.
One man with whom this newspaper spoke was like many others awaiting a work permit.
He said that whether he receives his permit or not, he will return home as he is no longer encouraged to “weather the storm.” He has been involved in construction work for the last five years and has never faced any delay in the issuance of his work permit until now.
“I have been able to get much for myself and family while working here and for the first time in my life I have been able to save,” he said. “But I don’t know what’s next and so I will go home and hope that I am able to find a job, but I know this will drop my standard of living.”
He admitted that sometimes some Guyanese “ make it bad for others” but said he felt the general feeling was that “we are hard working people and will do any lil work to get we money.”
I think its better for Guyanese living in Barbados to regularize their status instead of coming back to the mud and suffering…There is nothing to offer in Guyana. Even if allyuh get deport just find your way back to another country…even Haiti and work for a better wage cause there really is nothing here to offer Guyanese (most of us anyway).
Yesterday i was passing at the immigration office in Camp Street and the line was stretched as far as Carifesta Avenue…I ain’t lying!!
I feel you on that one Sandhurst. Until I can feel welcome in Guyana as a Guyanese, I will not return to Guyana to live with partisan politics. People with good vision needs to lead Guyana. Not those with tunnel vision.
so sandhurst if dem can do farming in barbados, why cant’they come back to guyana and do dem own farming?
Mr Sandhurst, How can you incourage Guyanese to live in someone country illagel? The fact of the matter is i was in Guyana last year and things are not as bad like you making it. I can tell you poeple are loosing there jobs and house every day, no that not happining in Guyana. If you can tell me where in Guyana people are loosing there job i will be greatfull.
You need to stop pulling the country down,Guyanese home and away need to move away from this idea that life is better abroad.
My people in exile.
I know…the Passport Office also has 2 sets of lines – 1 set infront and another on the step at the back….the same with all other Government Offices in Guyana…
Follow me on Twitter….MAINLANDWEB…I do get your updates on Twitter also…
Thanks SN.
FG
….Amenra with the conditions you living under in America, would you come back to Guyana and live under those same conditions???
To Sandhurst – I totally agree with you on that. To Amen Ra , farming in Barbados may give you a decent, living working wage – in GT, farming only pays those who got land – maybe you should try working (farming) for somebody in GT.
If i get deported from the u.s i don’t have no choice but to come back to guyana and live under the condition that it has, i will have to adjust myself, i lived in it once so i can go back again.
Stabroek may not allow this comment on the blog-but am I the only one that gets the impression Stabroek is angry with Barbados for planning to deport illegal immigrants and not angry with Jagdeo for not taking care of the people who would have had no need to run to Barbados? Read SN coverage since this story broke. CN Sharma always say a story has three sides- my side, your side and the right side. SN never covered Barbados side. No Barbados officials has offered a comment for Barbados decision. Leaders who condemn Barbados get much coverage and those that are rational comments get edited. I read a longer version of the CCL statement in another daily and got a better understanding of what Lewis is saying.
SN you are showing your bias side and the bias favours wrong-doing. The way you are covering these stories seems as though you are support the threat to Barabdos and do not care if CARIOCOM break up because is not prepared to keep illegal immigrants.
ra..please stop tooting your horn. I have land in Guyana and if you plant you have to deal with cows, teft, flood, and night prowlers…..you can’t get a ripe mango, ripe papa, nothing ripe any more.
Green Gauva seson in Guyana, and country men and women understand the talk.
….amen things will get worse hold strain
And Deryck Jnr,that why I have been calling on SN to send a team of journalist to Barbados to get a first hand report on whats going on. But as you can see nobody wants to hear or face the truth.Law and Order must prevail,and many bloggers do not seem to accept this.We have seen many also looking up to PM Gonsalves as a hero/saviour. And we al know what Mr Gonsalves take is on Law aand Order, especiallty if ut comes in a WPC’s skirt. He recently mad reference to “noble marijuana farmers”. I’ve also heard him made reference to “some of them cme here snd when yu follow them to the hotel they say that they are staying………….” Read between the lines.
Darren…where in my statement did i encourage Guyanese to live in other people’s country illegal??????????
Darren,it appears as if some Guyanese at home do not even want their own to return there and is therefore making a meal of pulling the country down,to deter them from returning. A Compatriot Implosion.
Since when Guyanese need encouragement to live illegally in another country?
Colin 2 Nice….there is a difference between “legal” and “illegal”. No part of this article were Guyanese living in Barbados being encouraged to live there “ILLEGALLY”…..READ BEFORE YOU COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CCL, and Lincoln Lewis misses the point. It is the way the Barbados authorities are going about the matter and the poor (and sometimes inhumane) treatment both legal and undocumented Guyanese receive from the police and immigration authorities in Barbados.
Thompson’s statements have caused much hysteria and engendered a lot of negative feelings towards Guyanese. Perhaps Lewis is insulated from this because of his position.
Lewis and CCL may not know and may not care that Guyanese, particularly Indo Guyanese, are being singled out. They should be reminded that the majority of Guyanese are honest hard working people who have contributed much to the Barbados society and economy, the same way Barbadians did when they came unhindered to Guyana some years ago.
What of the inhumane treatment guyanese face at home? Please comment…
Michael,try and remember that when the Bajans used to come to Guyana,it was in the good old days under the previous administration,I wish people would stop talking about that, and then in the same breath they speak about how bad it was back then,make up your minds!And please….stop this nonsense about Indo Guyanese being singled out,that is unfair…all the Bajans want is to be able to live in peace and be comfortable in their country!!
Michael I think you might be missing the point. It seems as though every aspect of the Guyanese society now is about – Black & Indian. The authorities do not have anything in particular against Indo-Guyanese. Alot of them are illegal & doing alot of ills to get themselves sorted. The system in Guyana is of such that one can pay & get what they want at will. It is not that prevalent. And mind you, I am not saying it do not happen at all here in Barbados. One have to remember clearly, Barbados is for Barbadians, Guyana is for Guyanese. Until the Govvernment in Guyana starts to llok after the interest of Guyanese at home, the Guyanese abroad will forever be mistreated. CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. Until Guyanese understand that they will always be in for a hard time any place they go. I was met by quite a few (Indo- Guyanese) who asked me to assist them to get them legal, they will pay me. Me not inna dat. I fully support the comments of MR. Lewis. There are some that are taking this issue out of context. It is not only Indo_Guyanese that are being targeted, blacks are too. They are easily identified in this society, so they obviously will be sorted & checked for documents. Some Guyanese need to stop that mentality, ONE DOOR CLOSE ANOTHER WILL OPEN. THey are going home. Since they are going on like that, it is obvious that there is nothing there in Guyana for them that is why they want to stay illegal in another country. Government is not providing for their basic needs. That is all.
Michael, you miss the point! You refuse to read and understand what Lewis is saying. You mad with Lewis because he refused to join Jagdeo and buse out Prime Minister Thompson. You guys will never learn. Seems lawlessness is only good when done by some. Thompson attacking the lawlessness you guys want to support. Barbados must not, I repeat, must not, let the lawlessness you and Reddy and Jagdeo want be Barbados immigration policy. Thompson must deport all the illegals. You guys want to carry your lawlessness to Barbados and think its acceptable and when you are caught you suddenly become victims. Get real. Keep the lawlessness in Guyana and don’t spread the virus to Barbados.
Michael thanks for making it clear. I was wondering why Jagdeo was so upset and said he is going to Trinidad to meet with Thompson to protect the interest of his people. You have just shed the light that Indians are the ones targeted. Thanks, again Michael for shedding light on why Jagdeo is hopping mad with Thompson about.
Freddie’s view is different Michael and I post it here for you to read “Towel around his naked body, toothbrush in his mouth and Kanchan blazing away”
http://www.kaieteurnews.com/2009/05/25/towel-around-his-naked-body-toothbrush-in-his-mouth-and-kanchan-blazing-away/
This race division under Jagdeo mash up Guyana
Michael , you are no telling the truth and you know it . guyanese live well in Barbados and the government is dealing humanely with the illegal immigrants by offering them an amnesty . LEGAL GUYANESE ARE NOT BEING ILL-TREATED IN BARBADOS . I spent about 8 hours on Sunday , May 24 , 2009 , socialising with indo and afro-guyanese , along with other bajans . The activities were carried in the news papers and the cbc-tv . When bajans break the law they must face the consequences of their actions and many of the illegal immigrants knowingly broke the laws of Barbados and yet our govt. offer them amnesty . Michael , do you want us to give the illegal immigrants the contents of the Central Bank ???? Mr.Lewis is correct when he said , among other things :”to publicly attack the efforts of the Thompson administration without seeking first to have constructive engagement could be seen as a process of undermining the sovereignty of Barbados”. Michael , we have been very hospitable to caribbean people , especially guyanese , but the governments which are now lambasting the govt of Barbados are demonstrating their ingratitude . The millions owed to Barbados by Guyana ,($20,000,000.00 plus interest) via the Multi-lateral Clearing Facility (now defunct)will never be paid and we have given up on it . The government f St.Vincent could not pay their civil servants and the government of Barbados was there to assist them . Illegal drugs continue to come to Barbados from St.Vincent and Guyana but we will win the war against the drugs dealers . The govt of Barbados , with David Thompson at the helm , along with patriotic bajans , at home and abroad ; will survive this world recession – WE ARE SURVIVORS , Michael !!!
Thank u so much MICHAEL, so people in here needs to stop stirring up strife, SN not taking sides, they r rporting what should be.
Finally a voice of reason.
What kind of stupidity am I hearing from Mr. Lewis ? But what do you expect from someone who get up at a meeting in B’dos and saying Guyanese cvriminals coming to Barbados and bringing down the name of he country (he born in Guyana) ?
How many Guyanese “qualify” to go into Barbados Immigration to regularise their status under the time frame announced by the Barbadian Prime Minister ? Very few, compared to the many others who came after 2005 (the cut off date mentioned by the Prime Minsiter). What is the regional trade union body doing about them, Lewis ? Progressive trade unions in Europe and North America have taken a good stand that a true amnesty must begiven to fellow working people.
As for the dead horse Lewis beats about governments in the sending countries not doing their job, why not tell that to the Barbados government whose nationals are leaving to work in hotels in US, nurses in Bermuda and Bahamas, and farms in Canada in addition to emigrating to join the thiousands of Bajans in New York and other cities like Atlanta..
And Lewis’ aside that governments should not speak out against the Barbados government. What further nonsense is this ? Go tell that to the Mexican government who repeatedly has critcised the US governments over the years in more stringnet language about Mexian undocumenteds in the US.
Lewis, get real and stop playing politics and embarrassing Guyana….
Well Reddy, why are you so concerned about B/dos nationals working on farms and hotels in other countries. People have to do what is necessary to survive. If you are so discontented in Barbados, go HOME. The government will welcome you back with open arms. As a matter of fact, run for the presidency come next elections. You have had this mantra for weeks now – move on!!!!!
Reddy stop regurgitating .It is redundant.Were you in doctrinated in Communism before taking your post in Barbados ????
IT had to be REDDY again, a no-brainer. If the people dont want ya in dem place get out. Case close!! Go some place else or stay home. Keep looking at what the Mexicans do & what the Barbadians do, etc and do not look after yaself and well being. Guyanese people who do not meet the relevant criteria, go home with pride & dignity. DO not listen to some of these cowboy politicians who encouraging lawlessness. It is Barbados, they put their laws in place and it has to be respected, whether it is liked by you or not. GO and get rid of that inept Government in Guyana.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER OF BARBADOS FOR STARTING THE PROCESS OF ECONOMIC & POLITICAL STABILITY IN GUYANA. IT IS LONG OVERDUE AND SOMEONE HAD TO START IT. YOU DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RECOGNISED THIS. THE GUYANESE ARE GOING TO HATE YOU NOW, BUT IN THE LONG RUN THEY WILL THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU HAVE OPENED THEIR EYES TO THE INJUSTICE THAT IS BEING CARRIED OUT ON THEM BY THEIR GOVERNMENT. I THINK YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE TO GO TAKE OVER GOVERNING GUYANA INSTEAD.
It would be interesting to learn from the Guyanese Consulate or Reddy in Barbados just how many Guyanese Citizens altogether are registered with the Consulate.
REDDY,
…the deadline is fast approaching bro? There’s a yellow submarine anchor outside Bridgetown just for you..
OMG Reddy now you saying that Barbados is to Guyana what US is to Mexico? Could your head be really that much in the clouds?
NeNE, lol, how can u advise him to go back home, he has no home their, dem Guyanese already read bout him, please don’t ask him to return, from his blogs, one time he’s against another, he’s for, which side of the fence he’s on now?, he never would understand what u r saying.
Well said! At least this man has the best interest of all parties and is keen command of the “big piture”.
Well said , Mr.Lewis . Some Caribbean Leaders are giving the impression that Barbados it doing something wrong when we offer an amnesty to illegal immigrants , many of whom have knowingly broke the laws of Barbados .
The CCL should meet with those mis-informed Leaders and let them know that Barbados is not ill-treating Caribbean nationals and that they must look after the affairs of their nationals .
Wiggins! If Caricom was to be come one and we all had to vote for a leader. I think most of them would be jobless.
Barbados is not the feeding bottle of the Caribbean. Caribbean leaders are now experiencing a true down turn and hardship of the world’s economy and want Thompson to take off their neglect.
Wiggins! Pay close attention to this year’s summer travel to the Caribbean and you watch these same Caribbean Leaders will be soon singing a different tune.
Come on Guyanese, have some pride in yourself. If you want to stay in the people’s country, try obeying the laws.Do what it takes to get yourself legal. Guyanaese are a proud people, don’t lower your standards.
verry well said
exactly my thoughts on the issue concerning guyanese in barbados mack, get your papel fixed while you’r there man.
Mack, try to understand nah!, some workers took their work permits to have it renewed, Barbados keeps them waiting, and u know why,? time would soon run out and they would be rounded up like cattle and sent back.
What I cannot understand is the short time to return back home and Mr. President has not stated what he going to do for them, jobs, housing etc:, not everyone has families therem not everyone would be taken into families home.
I think a year is enough time for them to leave, then the Guyana government should give all undocumented notice to leave also.
A tooth 4 a tooth, an eye 4 an eye, what’s good 4 the goose, is good 4 the gander.
“President Bharrat Jagdeo at a special meeting of Caricom Heads raised the matter with Thompson. Jagdeo said he went to the meeting to ensure the rights of his people living in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are not trampled upon by immigration authorities there.”
A man of integrity with a plan to improve Guyana’s economy would be able to send a message of hope to our citizens. A message that better days are coming. Instead we have a president appealing for fair treatment. Borat stop dumping our citizens on other nations and start instituting policies that ensure prosperity in the near future. Guyana is about to face its stress test. Returning immigrants, reduced remittances and declining tax revenues. All the overseas cheerleaders should return and support this government that they so greatly admire.
I have no problem with the government of Barbados’ move to regularize the status of illegal caricom nationals in their country.It should be seen as the maintenance of law and order.My problem lies primarily with the published reports of force being use when it seems it was not required.
The government in Guyana(PPP&PNC) particularly, should address the push factors that cause our citizens to leave these shores.
Quote: “What we should be confronting and debating are the failures of some Caricom governments in discharging their responsibility to their citizens.” This is the crux of the matter. Jagdeo needs to study that sentence and do the right thing by the citizens. He has done absolutely nothing for his people. There is a lethargy in solving crimes, handling the drug crisis, proper medical facilities and care etc. Who would want to live in such backwardness all the days of their lives? Hope a decent amount of Guyanese get to stay in B/dos.
I have not seen nothing in Barbados that will make me want to stay.
Shelly you obviously dont know too much about Barbados. The Barbados government take care of its people..free education, free medical free dental..should I go on. All Guyanese people want to do is live humanely and the government of Guyana owes that to its people. So when you say I have not seen anything in Barbados that will make me want to stay, then I say good riddence. Barbadadian follow the laws and so should everyone else.