The free movement of skills/labour entails the right of a CARICOM National to seek work in all CARICOM Member States as either a wage earner or non-wage earner, without the need to obtain a work permit.
A CARICOM National is, according to Article 32.5:(A) of the Revised Treaty, a person who is regarded as a National of a Member State. This is the case if such person:
- is a citizen of that State:
- has a connection with that State of a kind which entitles him/her to be regarded as belonging to or, if it be so expressed, as being a native or resident of the State for the purpose of the laws thereof relating to immigration.
Persons who are eligible for the Free Movement of Skills/Labour must be engaged in a legitimate economic activity in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. There are currently no rights regarding free movement solely for the purposes of residency or permanent naturalization or citizenship. If a person just wishes to migrate from one CARICOM state to live in another, he/she must still apply for residency or citizenship, in accordance with the laws of that country.
(Extracted from the publication “CARICOM Single Market and Economy Free Movement – Travel and Work”, Caribbean Community Secretariat, 2005)