Montserrat’s Premier, Reuben Meade, has urged the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to eliminate work permits entirely, emphasizing that this step is crucial for achieving genuine regional integration and facilitating the free movement of people within the subregion. Speaking at the 7th Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade on October 16 at the View Point Hotel in Montserrat, Meade highlighted the success of an existing arrangement between Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis, where work permit restrictions have already been abolished. He called for this model to be expanded across all OECS member states. Meade stressed that work permits, which hinder citizens from seeking employment in neighboring islands, are outdated and counterproductive to the vision of a unified Eastern Caribbean. He argued that removing these barriers would allow professionals, laborers, and workers of all skill levels to move and work freely, fostering economic growth and unity. The OECS, founded on principles of unity and shared prosperity, established the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union in 2010 under the revised Treaty of Basseterre, with free movement as a core tenet. However, some stakeholders have raised concerns about security and labor market impacts. Meade countered these concerns by advocating for streamlined immigration systems, including the use of identification cards instead of passports and indefinite entry stamps for OECS nationals. He urged fellow leaders to take concrete steps toward implementing this vision, emphasizing that true integration requires action, not just rhetoric. A dual citizen of St. Kitts-Nevis and Montserrat echoed this sentiment, criticizing leaders for failing to translate integration discussions into tangible outcomes.
Joint work permit initiative by Antigua and Barbuda and Montserrat, includes SKN; other OECS nations invited to join
