Caribbean countries are facing a labour shortage because climate change and natural disasters are forcing youths of the region to seek jobs elsewhere, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Assistant Secretary General for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) Alyson Drayton said Monday.
- “This has contributed to many regional states facing demographic declines, which has impacted their workforces; our younger population seeking job opportunities outside the region; many key sectors being negatively impacted, etc;” she told the opening of a workshop on regional migration governance indicator stocktaking and migration policy framework that is being held from July 8 to 10 in Trinidad under the theme “Towards a Regional Approach to a Migration Policy in the Caribbean – Realising A Shared Vision”
- The workshop marks the continuation of work for the remainder of 2024 to early February, 2025 to assist CARICOM leaders to make decisions, following up on a 2019 decision by CARICOM leaders to address the issue of migration
- Ms Drayton said member states would have to share baseline data and hold consultations. In that regard, she said was “distraught to hear that in the case of our countries parish-level data is just not there. We really have to do better together so I do encourage you to think about the very unsexy issue of data as we engage in discussions on the framework.”
- The CARICOM Assistant Secretary General said climate change would continue to affect the lives and livelihoods of Caribbean peoples, namely due to climate change, which has amplified displacements and the need for persons to migrate from areas that threatens their livelihoods or limit their opportunities to
prosper and provide for this families.”
She forecasts that the “frequency and magnitude” of climate change and natural disasters would remain key drivers of displacements in the Caribbean.
