Speeches
CSME Sensitization Seminars
By CSME Unit of Trinidad and Tobago
Oct 2, 2007 - 8:37:26 AM

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY JERRY NARACE
AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY
HEAD, CSME UNIT

Good Morning

H.E. Jerry Narace

I have the honour this morning to extend greetings and welcome you to the CSME Sensitization Seminar geared towards Labour and Business Entrepreneurship. I must commend the CSME Secretariat, for proposing these region-wide seminars, as they provide a forum in which Trade Unions, Government Agencies and the Private Sector can interface and become more sensitized on the role and benefits of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

The creation of the CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) has long been heralded as our region’s policy prescription to address the challenges posed by an increasingly globalised economy and to increase the competitiveness of the goods and services of the region for regional and international markets. As such, labour and business entrepreneurship are fundamental to the progress of the Single Market and the implementation of the Single Economy.

As a region, we are all transitioning from developing towards developed status and this continues to be our shared goal. Indeed, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica recently proposed such a transition for Jamaica by 2030 while Trinidad and Tobago aims to achieve this before or by the year 2020. It is therefore no surprise that aspiring to reach developed nation status has taken root in our nation and by extension the CARICOM region. Consequently, this regional thrust which is facilitated by the CSME will ensure that we are able to fulfil our mandate of improving standards of living and work; full employment of labour and other factors of production, enhanced levels of international competitiveness and increased production and productivity.

Government Officials

We here in Trinidad and Tobago have placed Enabling Competitive Business as one of the five development pillars from which our country will attain Developed Nation Status. To this end the Trinidad and Tobago government has embarked on a three-pronged strategy of maintaining macroeconomic stability, creating an attractive business climate and diversifying the economy. Furthermore, the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market in 2006 has enhanced the promotion of business and entrepreneurship through the regimes governing the free movement of goods, services, labour, capital and the right of establishment.

The regime governing the free movement of labour seeks to place the region’s economies in a position that would allow them to benefit from highly skilled workers. As you are aware, under this arrangement wage-earners such as University Graduates, Sports Persons, Media Workers, Artistes, Musicians, Nurses, Teachers and self-employed persons such as service providers and persons establishing businesses can move to another participating Member State to engage in economic activity. These categories are expected to expand by the end of 2007 to include Artisans and holders of Associate Degrees.

Already many of our CARICOM Nationals are exercising their rights under the CSME as recent figures show that over 1,300 Skills Certificates have been issued by Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Nationals from all participating Member States. Businesses are being established and Service Providers are moving to trade their services in other Member States.  As such, this seminar seeks to address the free movement of labour as the advantages to the region are outlined.
 
Many of our participants here today would be interested to know that steps are currently being taken to introduce harmonized labour laws throughout all participating Member States. These laws pertain to:

i. Recognition of Trade Unions and Employers’ Organization;
ii. Termination of Employment;
iii. Non-discrimination and Equality in Employment; and
iv. Occupational Health, Safety and the Working Environment.

Cross section of the audience during question and answer segment

Once implemented, these laws would ensure that common industrial practices are observed and would therefore enable businesses to pursue human resource development strategies. My esteemed colleague Dr. Steven Mac Andrew, Specialist in Free Movement of Skills/Labour would be elaborating further on this issue.

Efforts are also underway for the establishment of a National Competition Authority in each participating Member State and a Regional Competition Commission at the regional level. Barbados and Jamaica are the only two countries that currently have in place a National Competition Authority while Trinidad and Tobago is well on its way to full establishment of its National Competition Authority. The Regional Competition Commission is necessary to ensure that there are fair trading practices throughout the region and is to be headquartered in Suriname and scheduled to be inaugurated in November 2007. Added to this, and also prescribed under the CSME is the need for the establishment and efficient functioning of a National Bureau of Standards, which will assist the work of the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) in ensuring that quality and standards are maintained in regional production of goods and services. This afternoon’s session led by the CSME Secretariat’s Legal Officer and the Competition Analyst would enlighten you on these topics of interest.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s seminar is yet another in a series of activities planned for Phase III of the National Public Education Programme. Phase I had as its aim, the sensitization of the national population to the CSME. Phase II sought to build on that sensitization created and to develop awareness and basic understanding of the CSME. Phase III, while continuing the objectives set out in the two previous phases, seeks to further educate the population on their rights and participation in the Single Market.

Panel of presenters from the CARICOM Secretariat, Day 1, Crowne Plaza

In this Phase the CSME Unit of Trinidad and Tobago has promoted awareness of the CSME through its Mobile Caravan where members of the Unit visited various communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago, distributed informational packages and addressed the concerns of the public as it pertains to the CSME. Other initiatives included presentations to organizations such as the Business Development Company (BDC), the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), KC Confectionary and the Rotaract Club of Tobago, just to name a few. We have also donated audio-visual materials to schools, made presentations to the Secondary School population, organized competitions for both Primary and Secondary Schools and engaged in intensive information sharing utilizing the press and electronic media.

By no means Ladies and Gentlemen, is our work near completion. We are continuing to embark on several initiatives to inform and educate the public on the opportunities and benefits as well as the challenges of the CARIOCM Single Market and Economy. It is my hope that this Seminar will not only enlighten you but that you will share with your organizations the invaluable information that you will receive. I therefore urge you all here today to partner with us in this education drive. I also call on the Media to continue to liaise with us as we take our Public Education Programme to the length and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the CSME provides ways and means by which the main labour issues of job creation, labour mobility, social protection, competitiveness and good labour relations can be addressed from both national and regional perspectives. Furthermore the CSME provides avenues for business creation and development. It is imperative however, that national business practices and labour objectives are in consonance with our regional commitments and objectives. Timely implementation, accurate information and public education will ensure that we manage the process so that the intended benefits to business and labour relations and the like are fully realized. I trust that this Seminar will be highly interactive and that you would be afforded an opportunity to have all your concerns addressed. Please take full advantage of today’s proceedings as we listen to the presentations of the CSME Secretariat, Barbados.

I thank you.