CARICOM presses ahead with training for immigration officers

Immigration officers are to be trained in Saint Lucia this week on issues related to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the free movement of skilled CARICOM nationals.

The training is part of a series of workshops facilitated by the CARICOM Secretariat.The workshops are geared at ensuring that immigration officers are equipped to carry out their duties related to the free movement of persons, and understand their impact as front-line officials. The two-day activity is scheduled for Thursday and Friday and is being executed with the assistance of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) CSME and Economic Integration Programme (EIP).

Resource persons from the CARICOM Secretariat will be conducting the sessions which will also give participants the opportunity to share their own experiences.

Intensified public information campaign on #CSME #COCHOG #CARICOMORG #CARICOM https://t.co/s263tTzSo8 pic.twitter.com/2VdfHnnpZT

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Workshops have been held previously in Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. The training series is ongoing with sessions planned for the other Member States in the coming months.

The free movement of skilled labour and hassle-free travel for CARICOM nationals remain vital elements of the CSME and immigration officers have key roles in assisting with these processes.

The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) had recommended that Immigration Departments receive this training since they play a critical role in the operation of the Free Movement of Persons regime.