OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says that there should be a reflection on the performance of Caricom as an organisation as it celebrates the landmark of it’s 50th anniversary of existence. Persad-Bissessar has questioned the effectiveness of Caricom in dealing with certain issues during its 50 years of existence.
This as the Caricom heads of government met in TT from July 3 to 5. This year marked the 50th anniversary of its founding.
She said: “While there is much to be proud of, anyone with a clinical eye can observe that the regional movement suffers from an implementation deficit.” She also claimed that Caricom has no policy with regard to independent observers for elections, even from within the region.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has rejected calls from Persad-Bissessar for observers for the August 14 local government elections.
To date, no external organisation has supported those calls. Persad-Bissessar asked whether the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) has benefitted the region. At the end of the 45th meeting of it’s Heads of government, Caricom leaders announced plans to expand the CSME to include all categories of workers.
The movement of free skilled workers under the CSME is currently limited to 12 categories, including domestic workers, nurses, media workers, university graduates and teachers.