by February 5th, 2014
News
1.Public sector lay-offs in Barbados continue
Public sector lay-offs in Barbados continue in an effort to trim the island’s public sector by 3,000.This is one of the measures which the Government announced for reducing the island’s critical fiscal deficit. Two hundred workers from the Ministry of Transport & Works, the Soil Conservation Unit and the Environmental Health Department were given termination letters yesterday.
2. Progress made between Dominican Republic and Haiti
The Dominican Republic and Haiti have issued a joint statement at the end of talks yesterday indicating that progress had been made on contentious issues between the two countries. The DR has also promised to implement legislation to address its court’s constitutional ruling which many argue could have an adverse effect on Dominicans of Haitian descent.
3. US President Obama hints at deal for undocumented Caribbean immigrants
In his state of the union speech US President Obama has hinted that under his immigration reform plan, more than 10 million undocumented migrants, including those from the Caribbean, may be allowed to apply for temporary legal status and eventually citizenship. However, he cautioned that it would still be a long process.
The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) has begun its 10th Junior Officer Basic Training Course in St. Kitts & Nevis. The aim of the course is to improve the competency of the region’s junior officers in all areas of customs operations.
5. Canada introduces easier visa application process for Caribbean nationals
Canada has opened a new visa application centre in Trinidad & Tobago to facilitate the process of applying for a Canadian visa for Caribbean nationals.
Grenada has announced its intentions to join hemispheric organisation ALBA – The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas. St Kitts & Nevis had earlier also signaled its intention to join ALBA.
7. Jamaica dominates skills certificate application
Jamaicans represent the majority of persons who apply for CARICOM skills certificates.
8. Upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Conference to focus on private sector involvement
The upcoming 25th Inter-sessional Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference is to focus on the lack of private sector involvement in dialogue on trade matters.
9. Dominica gets British approval to adopt the CCJ as its final court of appeal
Dominica has been given approval by Britain to adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final court of appeal.
Views
Caricom-Canada Talks shrouded in Doubt – Sir Ronald Sanders
Mockery of CARICOM’s DR stand? – Ricky Singh
The “new” debt crisis, and why austerity won’t work – Daryl Dujon
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