Bill dealing with work exemption permits tabled in house

A Bill dealing with work exemption permits for CARICOM nationals who wish to work in Jamaica, was tabled in the House of Representatives on March 1.

Piloted by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, the Bill seeks to  amend the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act and Regulations to allow designated categories of workers from CARICOM  to be exempt from work permit requirements, in accordance with Chapter Three of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Mr. Charles explained  that the Act regulates the granting and exemption from work permit with respect to nationals, including Commonwealth citizens, while the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment ) Exemption Regulations set out the  category of workers exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit.

“The Act and Regulations are now being amended to give effect to Jamaica’s obligation as a signatory to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which established the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and which is entrenched in our laws by virtue of the Caribbean Community Act 2005,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that the purpose of the amendments to the Regulations is to remove the requirement for exemption certificates to be issued to persons who wish to transact short-term business related to activities within the island. 

“It is also intended to tidy up the parts of the schedule by the insertion of appropriate sub-headings as to the categories of persons to which exemptions apply,” Mr. Charles added.

The fines for breaches of the provisions of the Act have also been found to be inadequate and no longer act as a deterrent. “The opportunity has been taken to increase fines and penalties under the Act to a more realistic level, and to allow for future increases by Ministerial Order subject to affirmative resolution of Parliament,” the Minister said.

CONTACT: ALECIA SMITH