Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams dismissed concerns that Barbados would face an influx of migrants under the new free movement arrangement among four CARICOM states, insisting that predicted large-scale arrivals have not occurred.
Abrahams made the comments as he piloted the Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Nationals) Bill in the House of Assembly on Monday.
He said that free movement within the region has long been a reality, and that the new legislation facilitating the rights of those moving between Barbados, Belize, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica was designed primarily to formalise and refine existing arrangements, addressing any legal or procedural gaps to ensure a smooth process.
Making the case for Barbados’ participation in the agreement, the minister said the country was grappling with a population decline, describing it as a “population crisis” that posed significant social and economic challenges for the island’s future.
He told the House: “Our death rates are outstripping our birth rates. And we have an ageing population. What does that mean going forward? That means going forward, it’s hard to plan.
“It’s hard to plan for the development of Barbados. It’s hard to plan for the children that are being born. It’s hard to plan our social sector. It’s hard to plan our housing sector. It’s hard to plan the collection of taxes, and what the tax regimes look like. It is hard to plan what Barbados will look like.”
The Christ Church East MP also highlighted longstanding examples of cooperation and commitment to the movement of people and capital across the region, citing the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Court of Justice and West Indies cricket as glowing examples of regional integration.
He also pointed to the contributions of former political leaders, including Grantley Adams, Errol Barrow, Erskine Sandiford and Owen Arthur, along with current Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in furthering the ideal of regionalism.
At the same time, the home affairs minister criticised a former Democratic Labour Party administration for “rounding up” CARICOM nationals when it came to office.
Abrahams said: “What was the first move by that government in 2008 upon assuming the reins of power? The first move was to send back all. Round up all the non-nationals. That was move Number One – to purge Barbados of anybody who is not Barbadian. That should have been the signal.
“And we are still reeling from that. You only have to pass through The City. Up to 2008 . . . Fairchild Street, Nelson Street, all the environs of the city was bustling.
“You could go down there and get a food late at night. They had activity in The City. Bridgetown was populated because people were in The City up to late.”
Abrahams also accused the former administration of seeking to block non-Barbadians from voting even though Commonwealth nationals residing in Barbados for three or more years were allowed to vote.
The home affairs minister also rejected criticism that free movement would displace Barbadians from jobs in the domestic market. He argued that the influx of people that was predicted has not taken place so far. (IMC)
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