CATEGORY:EMPLOYMENT ------------------------- By Trevor Thwaites Inside Grenada correspondent Monday January 08,2007 ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada - A little more than a year after the establishment of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), Grenadians are said to be grabbing the opportunity to gain employment across the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that to date, the country has issued 39 certificates under “The Skills Certificate for Caricom Nationals”, under the revised treaty that allows nationals in one country to work across the region without harassment. According to Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Oliver Joseph, 52 certificates have also been issued to other Caribbean nationals to work, some of which only had work permits before. However, he said that 74 nationals have to date received certificates to work in several countries across the region. “Grenadians are certainly grabbing the opportunity”, he told reporters. He said that most have found employment or are seeking employment in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados. “Most can be found in Trinidad and Tobago followed by Barbados.” Of the 52 Caricom nationals granted certificates to work here are: Guyana 20, Jamaica 12, and Trinidad and Tobago 5, Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Barbados 3 and St Kitts/Nevis and St Lucia 2. Meanwhile, Nurses and Teachers will soon be able to travel and work in other regional territories under the CSME, which is now adding two categories in the area of skilled nationals to the existing five- Artistes, Musicians, Sportspersons, Media workers and Managers, Technical and Supervisory staff attached to a company or self employed. Joseph said that Nurses and teachers will now be able to move throughout the region and gain employment. He indicated that with the removal of work permits and the broadened base of educational opportunities, nationals will be able to return and serve in the areas in which they are qualified. The Foreign Affairs Official said that educating the public about the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) remains a serious issue. He said that should nationals better understand the pros and cons of the Single Market, they will be able to see the benefits for the country in the long run.