GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) labour ministers have discussed the definition and qualification criteria for aviation personnel including expanding the professions eligible for free movement under the aviation category.
A statement issued by the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said the regional labour ministers met under the chairmanship of the Guyana Minister of Labour and Manpower, Keoma Griffith to discuss recent developments on free movement under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movvement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region.
The statement said that the ministers “focused on priorities such as the definition and qualification criteria for aviation personnel including expanding the professions eligible for free movement under the aviation category of the Skills Regime.
Originally 10 categories, the list has expanded to include university graduates, media workers, artists, musicians, sportspersons, nurses, teachers, artisans, household domestics, agricultural workers, private security guards, and recently, aviation professionals.
The statement said that the meeting also received an update on the progress on the implementation of full free movement among four member states, namely Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadiens, which commenced on October 1 last year.
“Additional items tabled included the CARICOM Labour Migration Policy Framework and Action Plan. The framework provides a clear and comprehensive guide for CARICOM Member States to manage labour migration effectively. The Policy Framework and Action Plan reflect Community priorities and previous CARICOM decisions. It is aligned with international and regional labour and migration standards and incorporates the perspectives of tripartite constituents and other key stakeholders,” the statement said.
It added that the preparations for the June 2026 International Labour Conference and the ongoing work of the International Labour Prganization (ILO) Governing Body were also discussed, with Griffith stressing that the matters under consideration are central to advancing labour governance and deepening regional integration.
