KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government will soon introduce an amendment to the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens Bill to allow certain categories of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals to work here without a work permit.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz said that Cabinet at its weekly meeting earlier this week gave the green light for the Bruce Golding administration to introduce the new piece of legislation.
The amendments will also allow for an increase in the applicable fines and penalties for breaches of the Act’s provisions.
Vaz said the new legislation will allow for the removal of the requirement for an exemption certificate to enter Jamaica for certain named categories of persons in respect of visits to carry out business-related activities not exceeding 30 days on any one occasion, or six months in a calendar year.
Jamaica is signatory to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for certain categories of CARICOM nationals such as media workers, musicians and university graduates to work freely in the country once they are in possession of a CARICOM Skills Certificate.
The CSME allows for the free movement of skills, goods, services and labour across the region. (CMC)
