Bird calls for clear immigration policy

Lester Bird, opposition leader in the small-island state of Antigua and Barbuda has signalled his agreement with Jamaica and guyana for a clear policy on immigration.



According a story published on Caribbean News Net, written by Oscar Ramjeet, Bird is in agreement with the honorary consuls of Jamaica and Guyana that there should be a clear and unambiguous policy on immigration.



Mr Bird while speaking in a radio broadcast on Sunday said this was necessary to ensure that no one will be in any doubt about the policy and its attendant rules and regulations. Such a policy should be decided only after consultation with private sector, trade unions, political parties, religious groups, human rights organisations and associations of Caribbean nationals. Bird further said that the policy must not be an impulsive and unilateral strategy, designed by the government to punish Caribbean nationals and to play to a political gallery.



Mr Bird further added that another important element of any immigration policy must recognise that Antigua and Barbuda has a small population and, from time to time, the country will require additional workers, who do not fall under the seven categories identified by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) treaty. The first persons who will be given the opportunity for such jobs will be nationals from CARICOM countries. In such cases, temporary work permits should be given to these workers and no work permit fee should be payable; as these temporary workers will be coming to Antigua and Barbuda to fulfil the need for workers, especially in the construction and agriculture industries.



Mr Bird is also of the view that the immigration policy should be laws that prohibit exploitation, and outlaws discrimination and utterances, which are racist or designed to create disaffection with CARICOM nationals. This would include the arbitrary expulsion of people by the authorities without due process. With regards to the present situation and in advance of the issuance of a broadly agreed immigration policy, he believes that the government should give a six-month amnesty to all CARICOM and other nationals who have been living there without proper status for the past three years or more to regularise their position.