Migration affecting the Caribbean

A former CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister is calling for regional policy makers to now make migration and development centre stage in their discussions.

P J Patterson’s call came Sunday morning, just hours before the 31^st CARICOM Heads of Government Summit got underway in Montego Bay, St. James.

Mr. Patterson believes policy makers lack a clear understanding of how to address migration issues.

Mr. Patterson, who heads the Ramphal Commission on Migration and Development, believes there is a lack of political will to look at the long term effects of migration and how to achieve a "win-win" outcome.

“Little is known about how best to return migration, encourage Diaspora interaction or balance border security concerns with a need to attract migrants who are required by the economies of receiving countries. Most importantly, there’s a lack of political will

To look beyond immediate short term impact in destination countries rather than encompassing the effects of migration on the countries of origin and very importantly, the further impact of climate change,” he said.

Regimes established to stop migration

According to Mr. Patterson, the Caribbean suffers the highest loss of brain power in terms of health and education to Commonwealth countries, prompting the Ramphal Commission to start discussions with Commonwealth institutions.

The migration issue has led to countries such as Barbados and Bahamas establishing regimes to address the influx of illegal migrants particularly Haitians across their borders.

Mr. Patterson agreed that xenophobia is one negative that may arise and become a danger to individuals as well as to democracy itself.

Mr. Patterson emphasized that the Commission will recommend ways for governments to tackle xenophobia in their countries.

He said particular attention will be paid to problems arising from environmentally induced migration as research shows that by 2050, climate change will result in one billion people needing to cross borders.