ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) – A two-day regional workshop exploring issues relating to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) began here on Monday with delegates being told that it would explore in some depth the areas of education, occupational classification, social security and social dialogue.
“As we seek to expand the category of skilled workers, we can move and seek employment across member states. The development of the Caribbean vocational qualification (CVQ) assumes major importance,” said Salas Hamilton, the Communications Specialist within the CSME Unit at the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat.
The two-day workshop is being hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat with the assistance of the European Union 10th EDF CSME and Economic Integration Programme.
Hamilton said that the harmonization of the classification of occupation among CARICOM member state is vital, “to achieving a common understanding of professional categories as persons move from one member state to another for employment.
“We also want to ensure that persons can have their social security benefits move with them, and not lose out on these because they have decided to leave and work in another CARICOM country,” he said.
He is of the opinion that participants will learn over the next two days, “an increased knowledge, information and appreciation of what is involved in the CSME and how advantage it is and can be to you and the people you represent.”
“We would like that after the next two days you feel genuinely motivated to not just promote but champion the CSME to your membership and even to other stakeholder groups with whom you may collaborate,” Hamilton said.
The CSME allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region.