For those us fortunate enough to be born in or associated with the lovely islands of Trinidad & Tobago, happy T&T Independence Day (August 31st). I celebrated with my family with wine and good food and a miniature T&T flag.
If you have been unfortunate enough to experience one of our recent hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan) then I hope you weren’t too badly affected. Once again, Trinidad escaped though Tobago suffered damage.
Thank you for all the kind words sent to me on the re-launching of the CRS newsletter. We will feature emails discussing topics mentioned in previous newsletters in the “Tell Us What You Think” section.
This month I am highlighting the CSME and how it will affect IT people in the Caribbean.
Working in the Caribbean
There has been quite a bit of publicity recently about the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) which is expected to come on stream in 2008. The CSME comprises the 13 member states of CARICOM and will facilitate the pooling of the region’s financial, human and natural resources so that we can effectively respond to globalisation. The Single Market is already in operation and allows for free movement of certain categories of person throughout the CSME member states.
This means, for example, that if you are a CARICOM national and a University Graduate and you wish to work in another CARICOM state, then you do not have to get your prospective employer to apply for a work permit for you any more. Now, you just apply yourself for a Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills Qualifications from your appropriate ministry (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the case of Trinidad & Tobago), a process which takes about six to eight weeks, and off you go! You can even become a resident of that country eventually.
For more information see http://www.caricom.org/archives/csme/freemovementskills_socialsecurity.pdf
Additionally, Self-Employed Service Providers can work in other CARICOM States by setting up an office in the particular country, where managerial, technical and supervisory staff can relocate for the life of the business in that country.
Also, if a Self-Employed Service Provider wins a contract in another CARICOM State, then he/she may work there for the period of the contract.
All this is great news for our regional I.T. consultants. Now, it seems you can work in any CARICOM state without hindrance from immigration officials. I would love to know of your own experiences with this. CRS gets job requirements from around the Caribbean so keep checking our job vacancies if you would like to travel.
Tell Us What You Think
Letters to the Editor
It’s good to see that there is some consideration being given to the Legislations which are evolving in present eCommerce. As you have discovered the legislation from the US, similar Acts exist in Europe and the UK governing from Data Protection to Distance selling regulations.
Has the T&T government made any steps toward these issues or are they adopting a wait and see attitude?
It would be good to think that some effort is being made in the Caribbean as a whole to address these issues, since whether they like it or not they will be forced more and more into the position of eTrade. It is always better to be prepared! ………….. Perry
I am not aware of any movement to legislate against unsolicited emails in the Caribbean. Can anyone else comment on this? ……….. Ed.
What a pleasure to see the newsletter out again. I am very impressed. The look, layout and format is very good. In a way all things turned out for the good, as I am sure you value what you had to learn to make this work. Keep it up! …………… Allan
Thanks for your support. I will keep striving to bring quality and value. …… Ed.
We would love to hear what you think of this issue of CRS News. And of course, if you have any suggestions for upcoming issues that you would like to share with us, please send those, too!