Government has launched of a national jobs registry aimed at better capturing the skills of Barbadians and bringing more transparency to the work permit application process.
The initiative was unveiled by Minister of Labour Colin Jordan during a post-Cabinet press conference at Ilaro Court yesterday.
Jordan said the registry, which would be operational by next month, was being designed to help the Ministry of Labour and by extension, the Immigration Department, verify the availability of local talent before approving applications for foreign workers. It would be administered by the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service.
“The intention is to ensure that persons, Barbadians, those who are resident in Barbados, are able to submit their skills and their qualifications. It will be recorded in the registry,” Jordan explained. “We will know the skills that exist in the country, . . . there will be the possibility of searching that database so that we are sure that there are either skilled persons in Barbados who fit the requirement or that there are none.”
The announcement followed comments from Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams, who raised concerns about public confusion and suspicion triggered by newspaper advertisements for foreign work permits. Abrahams clarified that such ads were only part of the application process and did not guarantee a permit would be granted.
“Any person who wants to apply to grant somebody a work permit is free to do so. However, your application does not mean you will be successful,” Abrahams stressed. “The job has to be advertised, applicants interviewed, a report completed and only then is a decision made by the Immigration Department.”
He encouraged members of the public to continue monitoring such advertisements and report any concerns of possible abuse to the Immigration Department.
“I appreciate the fact that Bajans are looking out,” Abrahams said. “Your concerns are valid. If you think the system is being abused, we want to hear your concerns.”
Jordan indicated that once the job registry was established, employers would be required to submit their job advertisements to the Ministry of Labour
as well as the press. This, he said, would allow the Ministry to actively match potential candidates from the registry with existing vacancies.
“We are conscious of the fact that not all Barbadians, not all residents of Barbados, look at the newspaper every day and sometimes, many have heard about advertisements only after the closing date.”
He said the registry was part of the Government’s active labour market policy and reflected its responsibility under international labour standards to ensure that residents have fair and equal access to employment opportunities.
“Our responsibility as a Government is to make sure that Barbadians who want to work, who are capable of working and who are qualified in particular areas are given the opportunity to use their skills to earn a living, take care of their families and work toward the development of this country,” he added.
While some operational details have to be finalised, Jordan assured that these would be shared with the public in the coming weeks. He said the registry would improve the integrity of the hiring process, reassure the public and bolster the national labour force.
“We believe it is a policy that will bring significant transparency to the process of advertising, hiring and retaining the skills and the talent that workers and potential workers bring to the job market.”
The minister said further updates on how Barbadians could submit their information and how employers should comply with the new procedures were expected before the end of July.
(CLM)
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