CARICOM grants deferral to Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has granted Antigua and Barbuda a five-year deferral on the free movement of Caribbean nationals under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
At a CARICOM meeting in Port of Spain in December 2018, beauticians, barbers, security offices and agricultural workers were added to the current list of skilled nationals who are able to move within CARICOM and seek employment without having to apply for work permits.
However, the Antigua and Barbuda government made the case for the deferral on the grounds
that due to its open door policy with regard to the free movement of people the country already had a high number of Caribbean people residing in the twin island nation.
Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene had requested that Antigua and Barbuda be allowed to delay being bound legally to accept all persons under the categories established
At the 30th Inter-Sessional CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting last week the matter was once again discussed and it was decided that Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis would be granted the five-year deferral.