FOREIGN Minister K D Knight yesterday welcomed the resolution of the work permit impasse which had threatened to deny six Jamaican workers employment in Trinidad and Tobago.

The impasse had resulted after the government of Trinidad and Tobago rejected requests for certificates of employment for the workers from the West Indian Tobacco Company, which is owned by British American Tobacco Company.

The West Indian Tobacco Company is affiliated to the Carreras Group.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, Minister Knight, who had been in contact with local interests, on Thursday held discussions with the Trinidadian minister of commerce, Kenneth Valley, which led to a favourable resolution of the dispute.

In welcoming the outcome, Knight said it was of particular importance within the context of building the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The minister said the Jamaican workers did not qualify, under CSME regulations, as belonging to any of the groupings currently entitled to freedom of movement.

“Bearing this in mind, the positive conclusion to the dispute is a victory for the spirit of the CSME. It augurs well with our region’s effort to strengthen the CSME for a better quality of life for our peoples, a process to which Jamaica remains fully committed, challenges notwithstanding,” said Knight.