Remarks by Wayne Chen, President, Caribbean Employers’ Confederation, at the Launch of a Task Force for Technical Input and Support to the CARICOM Secretariat to Advance the Exploration of the Feasibility of a Regional Social Security Identification Mechanism 20 October 2023, via Video Conference
CARICOM must be a whole greater than the sum of its individual parts and the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation welcomes the free movement of citizens within the region as a critical step forward in achieving this goal.
Ensuring that our citizens receive social benefits when they move to other states will require regional agreements, national policies, and administrative mechanisms.
We recognize that the widely divergent income and benefit levels from country to country is the biggest potential stumbling block to its implementation as tax-paying citizens in territories with more robust and expensive social safety nets will feel hard done to subsidise non-contributing newcomers.
Notwithstanding this, the Caribbean’s employers are in full support as we believe that the long-term economic benefits to be gained will far outweigh the short-term teething pains.
As we move forward together we will have to consider:
- Harmonization of Social Security Systems
- Mutual Recognition Agreements
- Common Legal Framework
- Administrative Cooperation
- Information and Outreach: Conduct extensive public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the overall benefits of free movement and their rights and responsibilities when moving within the CSME.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Capacity Building
- Data Protection
It’s essential to understand that the effectiveness of these measures will depend on the commitment and collaboration of member states within CARICOM. Cooperation and a shared commitment to ensuring the welfare of their citizens when moving within the CSME will be key to the success of these efforts.
Mindful of this, we believe that a social partnership approach at the regional and local levels gives us the best chance of success in what is the most ambitious change management programme ever attempted in the region.
Wayne Chen
President, Caribbean Employers’ Confederation
20 October 2023
Source: CARICOM TODAY