The news that the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has abandoned the requirement for work permits for CARICOM and Dominican Republic nationals has been welcomed by thousands from the region who have made Antigua and Barbuda their home.
The decision was announced in a statement by the government last Friday.
“The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, consistent with its obligations under Articles 45 and 46, clauses 2 (iii) and 3 of the CARICOM Treaty, has decided to eliminate the requirement for work permits for nationals of CARICOM Community countries who are gainfully employed in Antigua and Barbuda, effective January 1st, 2023,” the statement indicated.
It continued, “The Government has also decided that, in keeping with Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to the economic integration of the Caribbean region, the elimination of work permits for persons who are gainfully employed, will be extended to people from the Dominican Republic.
“In combination with an earlier Government decision to waive all unpaid work permit fees, which were due up to 31st December 2022, this means that all nationals of CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic who are now in Antigua and Barbuda and are gainfully employed will not be required to pay for a work permit.”
The government said its decisions are an acknowledgement of the role that Caribbean nationals have played, alongside native Antiguans and Barbudans, in the development of our country and the need for a larger labour force as the country’s economy expands.
Nationals of OECS countries living in Antigua and Barbuda already benefit from a similar arrangement under which no work permit is required to obtain employment in the country.
In addition to the Dominican Republic, nationals of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti and Suriname will no longer require a work permit to be legally employed in the country.