NewsJust as some nationals of Eastern Europe and the other regions identified above are currently employing every stratagem to circumvent British immigration laws to gain entry into that country, nationals of the sister territories of the Caribbean are adopting similar methods to gain entry into Barbados at this time of our history.
Their goal in most cases is to gain employment; avoid political marginalization or persecution in their homelands or benefit from the the educational and social programmes that are in place in Barbados and Britain.
In Britain today, the influx of migrants from some countries is in some cases of such massive proportions that one writer on the subject has re-christened London, Londonstan, while some concerned citizens have begun to call for managed migration to stem the flow of migrants.
Many of the documented emigrants who enter Britain find employment all across the country and hope to benefit at a later date from the generous social security benefits to which there are entitled. The unscrupulous are know to abuse the system and live a parasitic form of existence.
In addition, they are usually aware that overtime Britain has gained worldwide recognition for the independence of its judiciary. Emigrants fleeing corrupt judicial systems in their homelands know that as a member of the European Union, Britain cannot extradite them to a country where capital punishment was still on the statute books. In fact, many naturalised British citizens issued with deportation orders are known to have used the appeal system to extend their stay in Britain.
Even though Barbados does not have the natural resources of Britain to offer the wide range of job opportunities offered there, the current building boom in Barbados has offered many job opportunities to nationals from Guyana and the Eastern Caribbean.
Political and social stability over the years has also attracted many non-national to our shores. Barbados has become an "oasis of peace" in an otherwise turbulent region. Even though there is a tiny minority who engages in anti-social behaviour , the situation is still manageable. In some Caribbean territories government has been forced to retain the services of foreign law enforcement officers in order to wrestle lawlessness to the ground. The sister territory of Trinidad and Tobago is a case in point where lawlessness has threatened social stability. In recent times, kidnapping has become a major headache for prominent members of that society.
The social welfare programmes that have been put in place by successive governments have also acted as a magnet for prospective emigrants from the eastern Caribbean and Guyana. In some cases social welfare programmes in these countries are rudimentary or non-existent. Non-nationals entering the local job market are aware that they can benefit from a National Insurance Scheme which is solvent. In addition, welfare programmes that draw on the public purse provide a safety net for those who fall through the cracks.
An independent judiciary also attracts the attention of prospective emigrants. Non-nationals taking up residence in Barbados know that they can have justice in the law courts. Barbados has a long tradition of an incorruptible judiciary. Judges appointed to sit on the bench have never been removed from office for wrong-doing or the miscarrige of justice.
When sugar ruled supreme in the 17th century , Barbados was seen by the British ruling class as the jewel in the British Crown. Today, under Prime Minister Owen Arthur, Barbados is being seen as the Gem of the Eastern Caribbean. Credit must be given to him for his skillful management of the economy over the past 13 years. This achievement has attracted hundreds of artisans and professionals from across the region to Barbados. Under his watch, non-nationals are now lining up at our ports of entry to make Barbados their home.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines has gone on record as saying that Barbados "is the best run black country in the Western hemisphere. Non-nationals from the sister territories of the Eastern Caribbean and Guyana are confirming this observation with their decision to work and live among us.
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