Trinidad and the CARICOM skills certificate
Over on my companion blog, I have begun to cover an issue that has gotten no mention in the blogosphere, and very little in the press.
Apparently, the CARICOM Skills Certificate is not all its cracked up to be, and the people who are finding this out are being told that that they cannot live and work in countries like Trinidad, even when they have a legal document.
See: Trinidad and the CARICOM Skills Certificate or visit http://fwconsulting.blogspot.com
posted by fwade @ 8/16/2006
9 Comments:
You know, I wouldn't mind going to work over there but dem might kidnap me pickney and then it would be WAR!
Dat kidnap thing is serious... but that is what sometimes happens when sudden wealth creates a huge disparity.
Then, the "instant gratification" impulse that we have been indulging, but has been dormant, kcicks in with a vengeance.
I hate to say it... but that is when people look around and wonder "how could this be happeningto us?" Fact is, the kidnappers are just acting out widely shared beliefs in illegal ways.
Maybe I should write a blog on this, huh? LOL ;-)
It's the same thing everywhere in the Caribbean. The Skills Certificate that you get in your home country, only entitles you to be given a six month stay - no questions asked - in the host country.
You then have to apply for a certificate in the host country, and unfortunately have to provide the same documents....or more...as when you applied in your home country.
I had a long chat with the guy in the ministry in Grenada that handles that and he said he recognized that it was a problem for holders of the skills certificate but they had not found any suitable solution as yet.
Finally found your blog.
Based on discussions in class recently I would say that the problem with the certs will be the least of many to come. Fact is we are going to have to undo a lot that has been done if the CSM is to have a chance at survival.
Yamfoot,
I heard that the same thing applies in Jamaica.
It makes me wonder if this is any different from getting a work permit (other than the cost.)
It actually sounds worse because you have to endure the same process twice.
Fact is, the kidnappers are just acting out widely shared beliefs in illegal ways.
Yes, you should!
Interesting topic, this blog. Came via Philp.
Hi
Thanks for this site. Being invited to Trinidad to work was exciting until I found out that my Certificate was not valid for work (did not know that before-why is it called a CARICOM Skills Certificate then???) and ended up feeling like a criminal. Gosh, having to beg bread hurts!!! Now I am waiting and praying until I get a duplicate copy of my certifcate (what's the point)which verifies that I have the skills that I said I had so that I can get a salary. Does anybody care that my bills aren't paid in the meantime?? Wish politicians would stop talking niceties and recognize that while they try to make themselves sound good, the ordinary man is faced with the realities of their non-enacted paper inventions. I really think that the CARICOM Skills Certificate needs a new name. My only regret is that I did not know any of this before now.
CARICOM Citizen!(Wow, I feel good!!)
The Caricom skills certificate thing is a mess because people really don't want it. Forget the kidnap shit talk. Who doesn't want to come to Trinidad? The Caricom Secretariat has to take the blame for promoting a load of bull and the Member States have been exposed for their hypocrisy on this particular matter.
Please!Not everyone wants to visit Trinidad.While Jamaica has a shitload of problems (- and yes I agree)many of us are comfortable and couldn't care less about another island.Jobs are here,its just the culture of our people that needs to change.People look down on certain jobs and one reason why they flock other islands is to get paid in US.
Trinidad is the last place on my list as a World and Caribbean traveller, :Trini to di bone " doesn't cut it for me!
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