Jamaica commends 4 CARICOM States on advancing Full Free Movement
/ Our Today
administrator
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has joined fellow Caribbean leaders in congratulating the Governments of Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines on their successful implementation of Full Free Movement among their nationals, which officially took effect on October 1, 2025.
“As Chair of CARICOM, Jamaica congratulates these four Member States on their implementation of full free movement of their nationals,” said Prime Minister Holness.
“Their decision under the Enhanced Cooperation Protocol to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas is a critical step towards advancing the goals of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Jamaica continues to press forward with our own efforts to ensure the CSME’s full implementation and strengthen the bonds of our Caribbean Community.”
Jamaica signed the Enhanced Cooperation Protocol on April 3, 2025, and is currently taking steps to implement its provisions. Under the initiative, nationals of participating countries will be able to travel, live, work, and remain indefinitely in any implementing state, with access to emergency and primary health care, as well as public primary and secondary education for their children.
Prime Minister Holness emphasised that Jamaica remains committed to achieving full participation in an orderly and sustainable way.
“We continue to put the necessary legislative, administrative, health, and security measures in place so that, when Jamaica moves to implement Full Free Movement, it will be done in a manner that is orderly, effective, and sustainable,” he said.
The Enhanced Cooperation Protocol allows groups of CARICOM Member States to move ahead with deeper regional integration, even if others are not yet ready to do so.
Member States that participate in the CSME but have not implemented Full Free Movement will continue to operate under the existing system, which facilitates the movement of skilled workers, the provision of services, and the operation of businesses.
The milestone represents a significant step forward for regional unity and economic cooperation, with expectations that other Member States will join in implementing Full Free Movement in the near future.
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