Regional Integration stakeholders discuss policy harmonisation

The 19th Meeting of the OECS Working Group on Movement of People was held on July 14, 2017

Efforts to improve the lives of citizens through a robust free movement of people regime continue as regional integration stakeholders work towards the harmonisation of policies among OECS Protocol Member Sates.

The nineteenth meeting of the OECS Economic Union Working Group on Movement of People convened on Friday, July 14th 2017 at the OECS Commission, with representatives of OECS Protocol Member States joining virtually.

Matters discussed at the meeting included:

  • harmonisation of national identification cards;
  • harmonisation of border management systems;
  • implementation of the OECS Policy on Rights Contingent to Free Movement; and
  • development of a strategy paper for advancing the implementation of the Free Movement of People Regime.

The harmonisation of ID cards and Border Management Systems are important security elements to ensure the safety of citizens of OECS Protocol Member States while moving within the OECS Economic Union Area (EUA). The OECS Commission will also work with stakeholders towards the establishment of a mechanism that allows for the portability of short-term social security benefits and the enhancement of labour market laws and policies across the OECS EUA.

The Commission anticipates that these efforts will improve productivity within the OECS labour market, which will in turn contribute to the enhancement of the global competitiveness of OECS Protocol Member States. 

Regional Integration, which refers to the process by which neighbouring states enter into an agreement in order to cooperate through common institutions and rules, has delivered a number of benefits for the OECS across the economic, security, political and social arenas. 

Benefits currently granted to citizens of OECS Protocol Member States under the Free Movement of People Regime include:

  • the use of a valid national identification card such as a driver’s license or a voter’s identification card for entry into the OECS EUA;
  • granting of an indefinite stay stamp at the border;
  • rights to residence status;
  • access to job opportunities without the requirement of a work permit; and
  • access to social services, including public healthcare and education services.

Under this Regime, these benefits are also extended to the family of citizens of an OECS Protocol Member State.

The next Meeting of the OECS Economic Union Working Group on Movement of People is scheduled to be held in October 2017.

Clarence Henry

Regional Integration Specialist, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Ramon Peachey

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Tahira Carter

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Doris Nol

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

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About The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

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The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an International Organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS came into being on June 18th 1981, when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty agreeing to cooperate with each other while promoting unity and solidarity among its Members. The Treaty became known as the Treaty of Basseterre, so named in honour of the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis where it was signed. The OECS today, currently has eleven members, spread across the Eastern Caribbean comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Martinique and Guadeloupe. 

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