Haitian nationals in Dominica have expressed concerns that the Government of Dominica had not been renewing their work permits. Since then the Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit commented on the matter on his personal talkshow. Today, the Minister responsible for National Security and Home Affairs Hon.Rayburn Blackmore issued a statement on the matter.
Blackmore said that while the Government prides itself on being friendly to foreign nationals, a proper process needs to be put in place for the issuance and reissuance of work permits.
He continued, “Unfortunately, there will also be a pool of dishonest persons and there was evidence of some tampering with documents. There were instances of persons purporting to be employers making requests for permits on behalf of persons who were not legitimately employed”.
According to him, the willingness of his Government ‘to return to the drawing board should not be perceived as a weakness but as a hallmark of good governance’.
“The Government felt it of utmost necessity to review its approach to the issuance of work permits and to put systems in place to mitigate against abuse and to ensure that the existing laws are respected and complied with”, he explained.
Blackmore said that the laws explain the conditions under which he has the power to grant work permits and he has confidence in those laws. He said that there are distinctions on how different categories of employers will be treated.
“A distinction is being drawn between registered businesses self employed persons, farmers and persons wishing to hire in home assistants whether it is for help in their homes and yards or caretakers. “He continued, “In this regard as of January 5, 2021, the following conditions will apply with regards to the issuance and renewals of work permits. 1. In keeping with the law section 27 F, as far as it is applicable potential employers must show that he or she has advertised the position locally and are unable to get suitable Dominicans to fill the positions. In that regard, three newspaper clippings will need to be appended to all applications. Further, return tickets for the non-nationals may be required. Persons who are self-employed will be required to produce proof of their businesses or proof of their livelihoods”.
The Minister said that his Government has demonstrated that it is committed to Agriculture and will be flexible and as such farmers(on any scale) may be subject to a process of verification. Further, ‘persons who require to hire domestic and home assistants may also be required to provide some measure of proof and a valid photo identification will be required of all applications.
He said that the intention is not to create unnecessary strain on individuals or small businesses but instead to continue a standard of best practice and transparency.
