By Webmaster
Copyright searchlight
Breaking News
Press Release
Special Features
From the Courts
Regional / World
Our Readers’ Opinions
Bassy – Love Vine
Dr. Fraser- Point of View
R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
Dr Jozelle Miller
The World Around Us
Random Thoughts
Kitchen Corner
What’s on Fleek this week
Health Wise
Physician’s Weekly
Business Buzz
Prime the pump
In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
Advertise With Us
Letters To The Editor
General Contact Information
Contact our Webmaster
Interactive Media Ltd
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Breaking News
Press Release
Special Features
From the Courts
Regional / World
Our Readers’ Opinions
Bassy – Love Vine
Dr. Fraser- Point of View
R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
Dr Jozelle Miller
The World Around Us
Random Thoughts
Kitchen Corner
What’s on Fleek this week
Health Wise
Physician’s Weekly
Business Buzz
Prime the pump
In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
Advertise With Us
Letters To The Editor
General Contact Information
Contact our Webmaster
Interactive Media Ltd
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Press Release
September 19, 2025
Skills certificate still required despite new CARICOM free movement rules
Barbadians will still need a CARICOM Skills Certificate to work in most CARICOM member states, the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) has confirmed, as four countries prepare to allow full free movement from next month.
From October 1, nationals of Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines will be able to live, work and access public services in each other’s countries without a skills certificate or work permit.
The BAC confirmed that all existing skills certificates remain valid and will continue to be necessary for entry into other CARICOM member states.
Executive Director Lisa Gale said in a statement: “The skills certificate remains essential for all in the region. As a matter of fact, it is the key to opportunities in CARICOM, especially among those who are not ordinarily certificated. Our role at the BAC is to ensure Barbadian qualifications are recognised and protected.”
She described the new arrangement as a “progressive step that strengthens the free movement of our regional human capital”, but pointed out that the remaining CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) participating member countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago – will continue to require the CARICOM skills certificate as the “recognised pathway” for skilled workers.
Under the new pilot programme, Barbadians will also be entitled to emergency and primary healthcare, and to public education at the primary and secondary levels in the participating states, on the same basis as citizens.
Under the contingent rights principle, national insurance pensions are also expected to be portable, with contributions in the host country being counted and payments being made accordingly.
“This represents a significant broadening of entitlements under the free movement regime, extending beyond employment access to basic social protections and services,” the BAC statement read.
The council reminded Barbadians that the skills certificates which it issues remain recognised across the wider Caribbean Community, and the BAC will continue to provide verification and recognition services for all qualifications.
The new free movement arrangement will be seen as a pilot, with the possibility of expansion to other CARICOM states in the future. (BarbadosToday)
ALSO IN THE NEWS
Front Page
Construction team hands over keys for Port buildings
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
The Administration Building and the Container Freight Station (CFS) of the newly constructed Kingstown Port have been formally transferred from the co…
Front Page
Police officer charged withstabbing girlfriend on $30,000 bail
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
A police officer, charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend about her body with a knife and a pair of scissors, was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 ….
Front Page
North Leeward College students save bigon transportation
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
by Grace Francis More than 40 students from North Leeward attending the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), are now benefiting fr…
Front Page
Jobs expanding because of Tourism – Minister of Finance
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
In 2000 data from the National Insurance Services (NIS) showed that 2,500 people were employed in the accommodation sector, a number that in 2025, has…
Front Page
Tourism in SVG on the rise, says Minister
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
St Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) tourism industry is experiencing record-breaking growth, and as a result, several investors ranging from hotelier…
Front Page
Opposition Leader strongly behind Andrew John
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
Leader of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), Dr Godwin Friday has fully endorsed their South Windward candidate for the next general elections…
News
InterCaribbeanAirways announces Flights Cancellations
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
InterCaribbean Airways, a key player in the Caribbean regional air travel market, has cancelled 16 flights across several vital destinations. Affected…
News
Murray’s Villageman dies over a year after being shot
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
Because of a common law principle called the ‘year and a day rule’ that is used to limit homicide charges if death occurs more than a year and a day a…
News
Gov’t to bring new Bill to regulate Port Authority
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
Keys to the Modern Port Project at Rose Place, Kingstown, were handed over to the government earlier this week. Even while the St Vincent and the Gren…
News
Import diversification can save Caricom States over $US 1-billion annually- Report
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
The Caribbean Community Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) has estimated that CARICOM Member States could achieve annual savings of US$1.3 billion by …
From the Courts, News
Elderly man with 40 convictions begs for non-jail sentence
Webmaster
September 19, 2025
A 68-year-old man, who racked up his 41st conviction after he stole coffee from a supermarket, pleaded with the court to be given a non-custodial sent…
Subscribe Now
Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
