KINGSTON, Jamaica — Despite constant complaints from several circles in Jamaica about mistreatment and denial of entry at the ports of several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, including Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, reports from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security are that the majority of those who apply for skills certificates are Jamaicans.

In 2013, 442 skills certificates were issued to CARICOM nationals with Jamaicans accounting for 411 of that number.

The skills certification validates an individual’s proficiency allowing CARICOM nationals to seek employment in any member state.

This free movement of skills, according to the CARICOM website, entails the “right to seek employment in any member state and the elimination of the need for work permits and permits of stay”.

The Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) Act establishes the legislative arrangements for free movement as required under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The CSME is intended to benefit the people of the region by providing more and better opportunities to produce and sell goods and services and to attract investment. The aim is to create one large market among the participating member states.

In July 1995 the Conference of Heads of Government agreed that, with effect from January 1996, CARICOM nationals, who are university graduates, should be allowed to move freely in the region for work purposes, the website said.

The universities recognised under the Act are the University of the West Indies; the University of Technology; Northern Caribbean University; Mico University College; the University of Guyana; and the University of Suriname.

Then in July 1996, the Conference expanded the categories of people allowed free movement for work purposes to include artistes, sports persons, musicians, and media workers.

The CARICOM website said that currently, free movement of these categories is in place in all member states, except Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis.