Program Officer in the OECS Commission’s Regional Integration Unit, Safiya Horne-Bique expressed delight that Saint Lucia fully became part of the OECS Free Movement Regime. The OECS Commission’s Regional Integration Unit made the official announcement on Aug. 15, that Saint Lucia’s implementation of the administration arrangements to give effect to the Movement of people Regime was complete.

Horne-Bique explained the benefits associated with this regime.

“It basically give persons the right to live and move freely within the OECS Economic Union space and that is seven member states: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They can move to a member state and work without requiring a work permit. They would be treated as a national of that member state. They would not be given a time limit for their stay in a member state.”

She continued: “The free movement of persons within the OECS has been one of the key pillars of the Economic Union. We are very happy that St. Lucia is now fully on board in terms of implementation. This was done after some significant training with all the relevant training with agencies in Saint Lucia last week.

There are currently six member states who have fully implemented the regime. Horne-Bique said the OECS is looking forward to the other member states coming on board, so that the entire region can take advantage of what has been coined under the treaty.