Premier Provides More Info On Caricom Proposal
“Freedom of movement does not automatically follow full membership” in Caricom and “it is not something the Government of Bermuda would allow as Bermuda is too small to have open borders,” Premier David Burt said.
In the 2023 Throne Speech, the Government announced a proposal to initiate a consultation process leading to full membership in Caricom and we submitted questions via email on November 5th, with one asking about Caricom’s free movement policies and asking if Bermuda becomes a full member, will we be opening up to allow nationals to live and work here.
In a statement on November 22nd, the Premier noted that “freedom of movement does not automatically follow full membership” and “Bermuda’s local immigration laws can continue to apply to any foreign national seeking to reside or work in Bermuda,’ and he provided further information last night.
The Premier also noted that he discussed CARICOM with the UK Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories and “he fully endorsed the Government’s proposal to explore full membership.”
The proposal does not have the support of former Premier and businessman Sir John Swan who expressed his concerns about it, saying that “based upon the stats, based upon the participation, based upon on Bermuda’s position as to where it is now, that we consider not becoming members of Caricom,” and he suggested that “any movement by Government to become a [full] member of Caricom should be by way of a referendum.”
In a post on X, Premier David Burt said, “Misinformation has been shared concerning the Bermuda Government’s Throne Speech initiative to hold a consultation on full CARICOM membership. It is vital to provide the people of Bermuda with accurate information to ensure they are well-informed about this initiative.
“It is incorrect to say:
“✗ CARICOM issues passports.
“✓ CARICOM does not issue passports. Each member state is responsible for its own passport issuance, maintaining sovereignty over its citizenship and immigration processes. There would be no change to passports issued to Bermudians due to full membership.
“✗ Full membership means freedom of movement for citizens of other member states to Bermuda.
“✓ Freedom of movement does not automatically follow full membership. Specific agreements, negotiations, and protocols are required and it is not something the Government of Bermuda would allow as Bermuda is too small to have open borders.
“✗ Full membership would not be supported by the UK.
“✓ I discussed CARICOM with the UK Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories in our bilateral while in London last week, and he fully endorsed the Government’s proposal to explore full membership.
“✗ The US will not support Bermuda joining CARICOM.
“✓ The US maintains strong economic ties with Bermuda and CARICOM, and there is no evidence to support otherwise. Bermuda has been an associate member of CARICOM since 2003, and our relationship with the United States remains strong.
“✗ Full membership means adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice.
“✓ The majority of CARICOM member states retain the Privy Council as their final court of appeal…and so, therefore, would Bermuda
“✗ Pre-clearance at our airport to travel to the United States would be removed.
“✓ There would be no change to pre-clearance. Full members of CARICOM, such as the Bahamas, also have pre-clearance and this is not impacted by their membership.
“✗ There is no benefit to joining CARICOM.
“✓ CARICOM has the fastest growing economy in the world [Guyana], with oil reserves that exceed UAE & Kuwait combined. CARICOM has launched an ambitious agriculture strategy with the goal of being self-sufficient in food by the end of the decade. Access to CARICOM free trade could help to reduce the costs of imports for Bermudians.”
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