'It's not new'

MANAGED MIGRATION is not an invention by the Democratic Labour Party.

It is not a new concept, in fact, it was already being drafted by the former Government and was set to go before Parliament before the last general election.

This was made known by former member of Parliament, Rev. Joseph Atherley last Sunday at the nomination of Arthur Holder, the Barbados Labour Party's latest candidate for the Michael Central constituency at the George Lamming Primary School.

Speaking to the packed auditorium, Atherley stated: "That policy approached the movement of Caribbean people from a positive, developmental perspective. This government is treating immigration like a political football, where they are playing on the sympathies and anger of Barbadians against our brothers and sisters."

Atherley was reiterating comments made by chairman of the party Rudy Grant who also addressed the issue at the meeting.

"It is necessary for the Government to exercise a humane approach to this issue of immigration. When I reflect on the history of Barbados, there were many Barbadians who went to Guyana to pursue their hopes and dreams. There was a time when Barbadians left to go to Panama and London. And I say to you, within the Caribbean and CARICOM we're brothers and sisters and have to look after each other in this region...we need to be responsible as a people. Within CARICOM we should not look to divide, we should be able to deal in a responsible, mature and humane manner with this issue of immigration," Grant said.

"Listening to the Democratic Labour Party you would have the impression the Barbados Labour Party did not have a policy on immigration. You would think the doors were flown wide open for whosoever will to come and stay.

"When we left office there was a policy draft document on immigration reform and protocols for migrant labour in this country. I have not seen or heard reference to this document, or this policy position by Government," Atherley stated, explaining the document spoke clearly to the issue of managed migration and migrant labour.

Leader of the Opposition, Mia Mottley, also attacked the Thompson government's position on immigration. "You cannot announce a policy that needs to settle the contingent rights - what rights people are entitled to when they come to live here You cannot disregard the fact that we depend on labour from outside," she said, indicating Barbados' reputation was stained because of the Government's position on the matter. (MS)