“Barbados has opened some doors for me to live so much better than I used to in Guyana” – Guyanese woman living in Barbados as a skilled CARICOM national
Apart from the hundreds of Guyanese bound to be affected by the new immigration policy which the government in Barbados has introduced, there are also others who have lived in the sister state for many years mostly unaffected by prejudices.
They have also come to appreciate the new decision by the island’s government mainly as being in their own best interest.
Some of them now reside on the island since they qualified under the CARICOM Free Movement of Skilled Persons and others gained their status under the Owen Arthur administration. They were spoken to during a recent Stabroek News visit to Barbados.
One woman employed as a communications expert said that she has had absolutely no problems since she moved to Barbados.
“I was recruited from overseas by a regional organisation and even housing was arranged for me. Since I have been here Barbadians have been very good to me,” she said.
With reference to the new immigration policy which could be used as the yardstick for sending home many of her countrymen, the woman said she believes that there is need to regulate immigration and Barbados has the right to do this.
She noted too that while every country had the right to safeguard itself especially in this economic climate, how this is actually executed is another matter.
“I think that there are more humane ways of doing things. I fear that this will disrupt many lives and families,” she noted.
She was not optimistic that many people would be willing to come forward to undergo scrutiny for qualification under the new policy.
“There is nothing in it that safeguards employers who have been hiring illegals and one of the stipulations of the amnesty is that you must have a letter from your employer. Also there is a limit on the number of dependents that you will be guaranteed under it,” she emphasized and asked, “what are people to do? Send home some of their children or not declare some of their children? This is something I think they need to look at again.”
A man who has lived in Barbados for the last four years said during his time there he never really encountered any issues. However, he felt that some Guyanese were bent on crossing the law since they brought their old attitudes from home. He insisted that there was a particular group of Guyanese who involved themselves in corruption and paid for work permits.
“But to me the policy is a little harsh but there is nothing that Guyanese could now do to revert this. People are afraid and from what I am hearing many wouldn’t give in themselves and will live underground. Right now it’s a 50-50 chance and whether they will indeed grant this amnesty is left to be seen,” he said.
Hopelessness in Guyana
He emphasized that living and working in Barbados has removed that feeling of hopelessness which he always had in Guyana.
“We really have to put things in place. Guyanese are all scattered and would all love to return home but I have had no problems here and the only reason I am here is because I want a better life for my family. I love Guyana,” he maintained.
Another Guyanese qualified as a skilled CARICOM national living and working in Barbados said she has long learnt to ignore the stigma attached to Guyanese over the years and has thrived on the opportunities afforded her and which have not been possible in Guyana.
“Working in Barbados is challenging, the first thing Bajans would say is that you are not (from bout hey) so regardless of anything else that’s the first thing that is always uppermost in your mind. Then the constant scrutiny of your documents is annoying at times but since it is said that we Guyanese are known for our fake documents, you have to accept it,” she explained.
“I know a lot of people wonder why Guyanese even come here and I used to be the same before I came but as I mentioned before Barbados has opened some doors for me to live so much better than I used to in Guyana. I earn way more than I was earning there and I am also able to help my family at home and still have savings. So for that I guess I can learn to live with some negative attitudes at times, and the occasional anti-Guyanese statements made at work by my colleagues.”
She believes that the people of Barbados are supportive of their government’s move and say it is in their best interest. “I know a lot of Guyanese are apprehensive right now, they go to work with the constant fear that today may be the day they are picked up, some would hear of a friend or co-worker being picked up and refuse to leave for work but that cannot be done for long since they have their bills and so on to pay, so they have to take the chance every day or just decide to go back home, but many are saying back home to what. So it’s better to just live here illegally and face all the abuse than go home and face a not so bright future.”
Another Guyanese who asked that her name not be mentioned said her experience in moving to Barbados has been mostly good. She told this newspaper that dealing with the unfriendliness that sometimes come from Barbadians is something which she has learnt to live with.
“I am here legally, I have a good job and my intention here is to develop myself professionally and gain more income than I can hope to gain in Guyana. I love my country but the opportunities to achieve all the things I want in life are limited,” she emphasized.
“The fact so many people are willing to come to Barbados and live where people can be hostile to non-nationals, especially Guyanese, says a lot about the lack of opportunities in Guyana. This is multiplied when you look at the number of people willing to live here illegally with no rights. Many illegals face horrible conditions and live in fear yet they are willing to stay here and suffer through it so that they can support their families. Economic opportunities are limited, crime is rampant, social services are not adequate and life is so hard in Guyana that people are willing to be ill-treated in another man’s land.”
She disclosed too that on the other end of it there are some Barbadians who want non-nationals to continue living there illegally since they rent them small rooms for between BDS$150 to BDS$200 per week where they have to share bathrooms and kitchens with strangers. She said too that they hire them to do construction and domestic work and pay them as low as BDS$70 per day and never pay overtime for working late or Sundays and holidays.
Benefitting from having illegals
“So Bajans are benefitting from having the illegals here. Illegals try to stay under the radar and not get into trouble. You hardly read about them in the paper committing crimes so I believe it is a misconception that they have come to Barbados and are involved in crimes. There are a few bad eggs but most of them simply want to stay out of trouble and get on without being noticed,” she said.
She acknowledged however that the Government of Barbados had the right to implement any policy which it feels will help their people
“And make no mistake, Bajans are in support of this new policy. More than anything this new policy is one of the main reasons Thompson won the election. This is what the people have been looking for,” she insisted.
Another woman told Stabroek News that as a young qualified Guyanese living in Barbados it could be difficult hearing all the negative perceptions some people have about Guyanese and this she said extends to arenas such as supermarkets where some attendants become rude the minute they hear the familiar Guyanese accent.
“But this is not necessarily the attitude of the majority. Deciding to live in another man’s country is never an easy decision, but the fact that Guyanese legal and illegal are willing to do this says a lot. As a CARICOM skilled national the process was previously less cumbersome but it is a lot more lengthy and cumbersome especially at the immigration end after you have been accredited. The Barbados Accreditation Council‘s process is much more professional,” she said
On the matter of the illegal immigration issue, the same woman indicated that the Prime Minister of Barbados is doing what he believes is in the best interest of Barbadians and “it is as simple as that.”
The Guyanese REFUGEES in Barbados knows that a life of second class treatment in Barbados is far better than what they ran from in Guyana. That said, why would they want to go back to Guyana while the PPP is still in power.
Biswattie, please stop labelling these people as refugees. They lived as second class citizens in their own country Guyana.
Ma’am,
Stop calling these people refugees. Some are highly skilled professionals who’ve voluntarily decided to seek a better life elsewhere. The same cannot be said of you, because the government that you’ve worked so hard to get elected did not live up to your expectations and have turned you into a very disgruntled and bitter refugee yourself.
don’t blog in ANONYMITY, show your flag or are you ashamed of that little token of appreciation where you fly your wings.
agree
Biswattie, you really have alot of hatred for the PPP!!! You also sound very bitter about everything…. Life is short, be happy!!!
Biswattie can someone persuade the Guyana Chronicle to send some journalists to Barbados to interview a wider cross section of Barbadians and Guyanese living in Barbados both legally and illegally.
We might just get a different perspective to the one painted by SN journalist even though her effort was commendable.
Continue being bitter at the PPP biswatever its good to get that vileness out of your system. Don’t bottle it up!
‘BISWATTIE’YOU AGAIN WITH YOUR RUBBISH…WHY DOES S/N TOLERATE YOUR INAPPROPRIATE AND CONFOUNDED COMMENTS….YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND.
And NoBalls..and then if you do not like what the Guyana Chronicle says,we can always ask the Kaiteuer News to send a team as well.
The Peoples [non]Progressive Party has no viable plans to assist the Refugees if they return to Guyana from Barbados and elsewhere. That explains their silence on the issue. In fact they are busy building mansions that outcost their salaries, living on the hog with the VAT milked from the hard working Guyanese taxpayers and jet setting around the world in champaign and caviar lifestyles.
Since VAT was implemented, billions of dollars have filled the coffers of the PPP’s treasury.
Guyana’s infrastructure is in decay, our schools are in disrepair. When it rains the court houses resemble a strainer. The hospitals are a sickly sight and in need of a medical checkup. In a country that boast an abundance of rivers- water seldom flows from its pipes. Efficient flow of electricity is for the rich who can afford private generators. The nations roads are filled with potholes big enough to sink a 18 wheeler. And despite 17 years of dismal failure, the Pee Pee Pee will have us believe there was progress. What hogwash!
What about dem Guyanese wha own big house like manshan an gat rice lan, shap sellin goods,plenty dowlat a de bank an dem still ah goweh Merica an Canaks fo drive taxi and do janita wok.Wha happen deh now? dem bin ah do suh since boat bin ah kerry people ah Englan.Dem like de cole Basmattie denn like de cole.
Biswatie
LOOK AT YOUR BLOG ——- HOW MANY GUYENESE WENT TO BARBADOS BEFORE 1992 CAN YOU GIVE US SOME FIGURES?????????
YOU SEEMED WELL VERSE ON EVERY TOPIC YOU COMMENTED ON 14 FROM 16 TOPICS YESTERDAY.
I READ THE BARBADOS NEWS ONLINE YESTERDAY. THE BAJANS ARE SAYING THAT THEY DON’T WANT CHINESE (CHINA) AND THE INDIANS (guyana) there because they are progressing too rapidly (buying up land) that is why they must go.
in the mean time bage is running out of barbados like guyenese. all for your info.
Anyplace is better than Guyana….Right now i believe Guyana have about 200,000 because if you are to go down to town about 4 times a day it is very likely that you will see the same person about 2 times on your trip, if we had about 600,000 you might see that person once a week….remember 95% of the population live on the coastal plains.
The upside sandman is that there is opportunity and hope.
Even if you are illegal there, the place still has a decent system of government and corruption doesn’t wake up every day and tell you good morning.
Rohee haw hee haww and jagdeo have made this country unliveable.
You got to visit Dishikibo and Beribishi, not only Demalali, to see more of the population.
Samaroo,,how many time I told that you do not allege corruption without evidence,,you are sounding silly and inulting your integellence…You getting like Biswattie…
Soldier boy … The buddys fuel smuggling case that never made it to anywhere is corruption to the hightest. Polar beer scam, no taxes paid on vehicles in 2007 or only on 4% might as well be nothing.
Buddys loan to build hotel which was repaid wid free hotel rooms to the govt. Tax payers got shafted.
Can i get a similar loan soldier I have asked you at least 12 times i will give you free hotel rooms and 2 egg balls
Raja Khan case, corruption, abuse of power, criminality to the highest degree. Shall we continue soldier boy?
NIS money to clico 34 Million dollars which eventually funded real estate on floriday.
Shall we continue soldier?
Samaroo,,Again I am telling you with evidence to back these allegations will bring any Government down,,,But you must have hard proofs, otherwise it is still considered allegations… Please understand this.
soldier get your govt to launch an independent investigation if you want proofs.
The proofs is there my man people like you refuse to see all the prooofs that driving around in prados and building big big house on hot dog vendor salaries.
What is the future in living illegaly in a country where you’re not wanted,running from police,paying exorbitant rent,bieng stigmatized,bieng insulted and living in fear of bieng dumped out of that country?Each one of the persons interviewed here are making very contradictory statements and some of these women have to stay in Bardados no matter what because they are married to Barbadians.
Most people who live illegally in another country find the nationals of the country humane. For the most part if they out of trouble they can live freely for years.
Yes they maybe exploited but what they earn far exceeds what they are use to in their own country.
you bloggers who love to talk about the burnham regime and the PNC for 28 years I fed up of hearing this. Stop living in the past we have to see what is going on now and what to expect in the future.Mr. President and your government creat Jobs for your people our countrymen are treated like Aliens or worst in Barbados and are afraid to come home because nothing is here for them,so they rather stay and go through those illtreatment, You can’t blame the bajans for this, At least they are doing something for their countrymen you do something for yours. The other day I was reading the Nation News, You know It was kind of strange because I did not read anything about CRIME, INJUSTICE AND SUICIDE ECT… That paper was clean, they talked about a child is so proud of passing her exams. when would Guyana be like this Mr. President? Do something and Do It fast, I am fed up.
Are you fed up enough to vote him out of office in 2011.
mrs in a democracy govt dont create jobs, the private sector.
as stated in sn one sector of the population bribe for their documents.
if the material/economic wants are driving you people crazy then blame your self and not the govt., you made that choice and deal with it like every one else.
visit some of your favorite bloggers “anti govt” then report on their condition of living then another on “pro govt” and see the difference. please be partial
Freespeech
You have some nerve, telling “mrs” about her economic/material wants. She’s living in Guyana and feeling the squeeze and HOPELESSNESS, while u sit on your tush behind ur computer.
Look, get a life and just hush-up!!! Better yet, go back to Guyana and “if the material/economic wants are driving you people crazy then blame your self and not the govt.”
freespeech, you are in the USA and is very happy you are far away from Guyana so I know you dont understand what we are going through. People here have to tell you what we are going through so you hush up and listen and maybe you might see it the other way.
Freespeech in a democracy govt does not provide jobs.IN this observation your are correct.However, you omitted the fact that it is the governments responsibility to create an enviroment conducive for investors and the protection of its citzens.THis has been a non existent in this incompetent communist ppp govt.Instead, this MALMINISTRATION is blatantly and overtly contributing to the destabalisaztion by cohabitating with drug lords and extra judicial mercenaries.Would you invest your hard earned money in such a climate of instability like dodge city???SO do not blame the Guyanese in Barbados because at least they have jobs can can put bread on the table.This does not preclude the Barbadian Government from doing what it deems best in the interest of it sovereignity.
Freespeech you are talking through both sides of your mouth.
Government should not be creating jobs the private sector should you are correct but when the government is the largest employer in the land because they own all the corporations and they are not changing the economic climate to stimulate growth how is the private sector going to perform?
A classic example is GuySucko, why is the government still running this company? why has it not been privatized?
How come the government after 17 years still cannot end the GT&T’s monopoly? is it because of the Jagan family connection to GT&T?
Mrs. take it easy you have to understand that many of the Poo Poo Poo supporters have very little to go on.
They are hurtin mrs they are hurtin, The funny thing is lebanon and bosnia was bombed into smithereens but they are back and have a better economy than GY.
lebanon GDP $44.05 billion (2008 est.)
Bosnia & Herzegovina GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate
– Total $18.469 billion[1]
Guyana GDP: – $3.62 billion (1.86 G$) (2006 est.)
A who responsible fuh all a dis weh guyanese a face in bdos.
Amen,if the Canadians found out that i’m illegal here who is responsible?that would be me,do you think the GT gov is gonna come and rescue me…the same fuh the Guyanese in B’dos.When you make your bed you have to lie in it even when life is tuff.
AT THIS TIMES WHEN THE COUNTRY IS IN DIRE NEED OF LEADERSHIP
YOU HAVE TO WONDER WHERE ARE THE LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY…..
WHAT IS THEIR PLAN AND WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO IMPLEMENT
IT?….IN NORTH AMERICA WHEN THE LEADERS PLAN DOES NOT WORK
WE VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE…..JAGDEO WAKE UP AND DO
SOMETHING FOR THE COUNTRY YOU HAVE BEEM ELECTED TO
REPRESPENT!!!
i seh again…get out and get an leff de people island if yuh are there ilegally….
easy for you to say cackeye. Why doan you adopt some of dese people and kerry dem to newfoundland?
Evil,,Since Samaroo knew you went to NFL, the man get real hot,,,I had trouble with him for the three days…The man had plaster for every soar….He is a good chap, he is my friend…
Soldier boy
If i had to decide between you and cack i would take him any day because I think he does have an independent streak and he has shown that he does think before uttering nonsense like you.
I gave you all the evidence of corruption and proooffffss that you wanted when are you calling that president to begin the investigations.
Hey Evileye,
I miss you. I thought you went to Guyana. Are you ok?
…thanks….
but cack eye samaroo is best protected by sn…..
they have the same agenda…so he is entitled to attack anything and everyone but sn so darn biased they would not allow my response to him….and they talk about dictatorship…govt is right to say some news media is the most powerful opposition in guyana….that includes sn….cack eye ka ka samaroo could say what he wants….with a name like samaroo he thinks he will be saved or sn will save him….they have some thing coming to them soon for they are asking -begging for it..i hope sn and cack eye kaka samaroo gets what they want…sn can go to hell for all i care…yo…moderator…you showing your biased agenda in faveor of afc and call your news media standing against govt and representing de poor…yall can go to hell now…no use for sn any mo…..
This is a very grave and serious situation and cries out for government intervention. Faria as Guyana’s representative should be having talks with the Barbadian government and using the somewhat sympathetic opposition to mollify the severity of this crackdown. Jagdeo and Rodrigues lack the gravitas and respect of an LFSB and hence anything they say or do would be ineffectual without the help of other Caricom partners.
Our country and citizens are viewed as pariahs and I am reluctant to admit that I am Guyanese. I am not alone in this regard and we are not unpatriotic, but like the article stated there is a certain group of us for whom false documents and disrespect for laws of the land is the norm. These are people who came to Canada and lied to claim refugee status; some appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s show claiming poverty and hardship (economic refugees). Now we have Scarborough, Brampton (Canada) and Richmond Hill (New York) enclaves and all the resultant crap of the unsophisticated and unenlightened. Barbados has started the ball rolling and I fear other countries will follow; smaller countries as they become affected by the ravages of the global economic downturn.
Jagdeo do something or get off the pot. Now many of the people who voted for you are once more feeling the brunt of your failed policies. No more excuses of 28 years of P.N.C. rule.
Not Mr. Faria Please. He is referred to as Mr. Pariah here in Barbados. He is a real problem for Guyanese here…. not diplomatic material at all. He is not liked by many Barbadians and Guyanese here, and has been too controversial over the years so he has made may enemies in both major parties. He lacks the ability of doing anything for Guyanese here except making things worse when he opens his mouth.
As a fellow CSN in BArbados I do not share the same views as these persons interviewed for this article.
As they indicated you are never accepted, yet your expertise is sought and much needed. For me and family there are some things money can never buy, so even though I came here as an expat and am now given the opportunity to stay as long as I want I will return to my homeland Guyana.
This beautiful land will soon see significant changes that will have them all scrambling, hopefully they will get more understanding than they give.
I wonder how many words a reporter would need to write an article about “the upside of living in Guyana.” I pity the poor bloke sitting there with writer’s block and eventually handing a blank sheet as his/her copy.
OBSERVER:Please remain where you are or make certain you can return if things are not to your expectations. The place is a pathetic. Power failures, water shortage, filth, garbage, crude behaviour, racism, noise,lack of respect for the living and the dead, corruption, crime, high prices, VAT and on and on.
Hey Observer, why not pack you and your families belongings and leave now, isn’t your expertise much sought after in your homeland Guyana? Don’t wait for any changes to take place here before you leave. Do it now,No? Wonder why? Be careful what you wish for.
This report is a true snapshot about Guyanese in Barbados and their apprehension about returning to GT, even though they are experiencing some hardships here. The general consensus is that it is better here than going back to Guyana and face a hopeless future…. What an indictment on a country!
I know of a Guyanese person who was a primary schoolteacher there, well spoken and attired… very presentable. She has been here illegally for four years. Here she cleans homes for $60Bdos ($6000 Guyana) a day, and says even at that pay she enjoys a better standard of life here. She, like many, do not qualify for this amnesty but do not want to return to Guyana.
It is estimated that there are between 10,000-20,000 Guyanese here illegally, along with another 20,000 from the other Caricom countries.There could also another 10,000 Guyanese who are here legally as residents and skilled Caricom immigrants able to live and work here with no restrictions. Will there be a wholesale deportation of the people who are here illegally. We do not know yet but people are being deported every day. Already some people are shipping their belongings home as they believe there will be a serious clampdown after December 1 this year… they do not want to lose their belongings if and when this happens.
One of the negative aspects facing Guyanese in Barbados are the number of fake documents and passports. There was people now selling fake work permit stamps in passports and there is the usual fake passports that Guyanese are famous for. That is why some Guyanese have such a hard time with Immigration officials in the Region.
As many are saying, we have to all help in rebuilding Guyana and make it a place that people would want to live in- a place for investment rather than flight. We all know that many Guyanese would return home if they saw a future there for themselves and their families. Maybe the Barbados action would be a wake up call for action by Guyanese to start looking inward rather than outward for their future.
i really dont like to send comments that does not nfit to some of the above,but what is exactly happening is what used to happen here years ago when them people we call islanders.patwa,and bajans lived and worked in guyana for years taking away our gopld and diamonds to pave the way for their generations to come,to date they still have some of them living here in madia ,mazurini and other places,do you think they bank they money here? check them welth back in antigua,st luica ,barbados ect.it’s like guyaneese going there to collect the drainings from the cassave juice.tell me if i wrang
Ecoanalyst…hmmm.. could it the very same blogger that vents on the Barbados Underground, a racist trash can and has even quoted Martin Carter.?.. My My, thought you were Guyanese.
And Tando , we have repaid our dues to the tune of $120 million, when the Multi- Lateral Clearing Facility was unilaterally cleared.