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Homicide rates 2025 per 100,000 (source: Data Pandas, 2025)
Barbados 9.77
Dominica 26.59
St Vincent and the Grenadines 36.54
Belize 37.79
Unemployment rates 2024 (source: Data World Bank)
Barbados 7.5%
Dominica 13%
St Vincent and the Grenadines 18.1%
Belize 7.0%
Jamaica signed on to the CCJ yet?
Jamaica Accedes to Partnership Agreement Between CARICOM and Afreximbank – Jamaica Information Service
https://jis.gov.jm/jamaica-accedes-to-partnership-agreement-between-caricom-and-afreximbank/
@ David
I agree wholeheartedly agree with Stuart’s following comments.
“…… the absence of a common currency accepted by all CARICOM countries, will continue to perpetuate serious economic inequality in the region.
For example, we have the Barbados dollar at 2:1, TT$ = 209:1, Guy$ = 209:1, Bel$ = 2:1, Jam$ = 159:1, and EC$ = 2.67:1, which are all tied to the US$.”
“The countries with a higher exchange rate will face increased migrant pressure, as a typical migrant will seek out more economically advantageous work in these jurisdictions, and the idea of remittances…… it works better if you can earn money in a country with a higher exchange rate, and then send that money back home to a country with a lower exchange rate.”
“So, for example, BD$50,000 or US$25,000 earned in Barbados, equates to Jam$3.9M…… socially in the influx of undocumented migrants without work permits to live and work, creates a serious level of destabilisation within a society, and a crowding out of opportunity for locals, as both locals and migrants will compete for the same work opportunities.”
Barbados..
….a cuntree of brass bowls, led by dishonest idiots….
Arthur pushed the CARICOM nonsense to the limit – changing local laws without corresponding changes from others, and allowing Tom, Dick, and Harry to come and take control of our LIMITED resources in the STUPID name of ‘foreign direct investment’ – another term for SELLING OFF THE FAMILY ASSETS.
…but as long as the politicians collected their silver peices, they continued with the TREASON…. EVEN after DUMBVILLE got locked up….
Now, faced with the REALITY that “many hands can’t make one shiite work”, this latest iteration of traitors will be pushing a ‘mini-caricom’ of loser states…..?
What a mess!!
What nonsense!!
What a place.
And Kemar’s solution is even more IDIOTIC.
Common currency shiite!!
We just FOOL ourselves, but our common currency is already the DOOMED $US.
The days when size mattered ENDED back in the 1990’s. EVEN if we ALL got together, we will be JUST AS INSIGNIFICANT brass bowls as we are now… just with less UN votes.
What Kemar SHOULD be pushing is:
– Barbadian creativity, flexibility, productivity, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, HIGH QUALITY in everything that we do…
This REQUIRES motivating our VERY BEST talents to work TOGETHER…
– to stop the political shiite and treason
– to bring true transparency and integrity
– using MERIT BASED decision making
– Dismissing the ‘DooShiites’, ‘Tire-slashers’, shiite-talkers and posers, and PROMOTING those who ACTUALLY PRODUCE RESULTS.
Steupsss… If Kemar is of the usual political ilk, he too is just looking to get HIS turn at sharing the previously ‘fatted calf’ …. now a starved-out black-belly sheep living of IMF loans…
Too far gone….. our donkey is grass
How true is Bush Tea’s statement: ‘mini-caricom’ of loser states…..?
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=BB-DM-BZ-VC
And finally…………..
It’s called a race to the bottom. It remains to be seen if these new incomers will earn sufficient sums of money to send home in remittances. The construction companies will appreciate this incoming wave of workers whom they will exploit. The agriculture industry will also be happy. The hoteliers and the service industry will be ecstatic. Our GDP figures will see an uptick.
The domestic Bajans who are not wealthy (the majority) will bear the brunt of this. They will slug it out with these impoverish newcomers who come from territories with high homicide rates. The countries infrastructure will not be able to cope. Not that it’s managing well a present.
Several years ago, Mia encouraged Bajans to look aboard for newer opportunities. I’m afraid the migration door is closing in very quickly.
Anyone wanting free movement in the region has to be living under a rock. Have you not seen the problems the USA and Europe are grappling with as a result of unmanaged movement?
When you are the strongest in a group of countries with free movement you dont benefit from this. It is the poorest meembers at the bottom of the group that gain. No one runs to ” brek down” the borders of a country with nothing to offer! Caricom is what it is. Wunna forget the Federation that was attempted decades ago, where one country said that 1 from 10= 0?
On a third Party here don’t even waste wunna time. You dont see we cant even muster 1 single seat in the last 2 elections for a party that was around since indpendance ? How many third party attempts has Barbados seen? How many seats have any won?
Stupes bring something else to talk bout do!
In my opinion, before making a unilateral decision to implement full free movement of skilled CARICOM nationals to live and work and live in Barbados, ‘government’ should’ve discussed this issue with Barbadians, perhaps at town hall meetings, for example.
Mottley seems to be more interested in creating a legacy than implementing policies for the development of Barbados and Barbadians.
That, similar to how ‘Barrow is synonymous with independence,’ she wants to be similarly recorded in the annuls of Barbadian history as being identified with some important historical event, even if self-created.
However, since it is being proposed that migrants and their children should be equally entitled to the same benefits as Barbadians, did Mottley take into consideration the impact such a decision would have on the island’s social and medical services?
If migrant children should be able to attend primary and secondary schools, would they be allowed to access tertiary level education at UWI or BCC at the expense of Barbadian taxpayers?
Additionally, perhaps Mottley or Abrahams may want to inform Barbadians what job opportunities are there for us in Jamaica, for example, where the exchange rate for a Jam$1 is BD0.013¢.
These are the types of issues we should be PRIORITISING for national discussion or protesting against, rather than WASTING TIME on PAROCHIAL ISSUES such as allowing people to smoke weed at CARIFESTA.
@Artax
The economic and social development of the respective Caricom countries given the disparities will always be a challenge. The issue is if deeper integration will generate more benefits than not for the group. It appears the construct of globalization is being dismantled and it is about who can strike the best strategic alliances; bilateral arrangements.
WHY CARIBBEAN UNITY IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL & DOES THE CARICOM PROJECT EVEN WORK GIVEN ITS LACK LUSTRE IMPACT ACROSS THE REGION???
#KemarStuart is “GREEN AROUND THE EARS” & though he wants to push his agenda 4 change – it’s little 2 late (4 USAIN HAS BOLTED WITH THE HORSES & CARRIAGE)!!!
On a more serious note, let us not only take a pragmatic but a paradigmatic approach to the issue, by offering up an academic preface on the issue without transcribing a dissertation on the sorry matter!!!
#HereGoes
#LetUsBegin
🚧 I. Why a New Caribbean Union Would Likely Fail
Historical Precedent of Fragmentation – The collapse of the West Indies Federation (1958 – 1962) demonstrates persistent barriers:
Jamaica’s withdrawal (1961) over inequitable representation & fears of subsidizing smaller states
Trinidad’s exit after Jamaica left, declaring “one from ten leaves nought”
Insular nationalism consistently overrides (PAN)-Caribbean solidarity, as seen in current disputes over the CSME’s free movement protocols
Economic Asymmetry & Resource Competition
Disproportionate burdens – Larger economies (e.g., Trinidad, Jamaica) resist subsidizing smaller states, mirroring pre-1962 tensions
Export rivalry – Caribbean nations compete for tourism, offshore banking, & commodity markets rather than collaborating
Governance Deficits
CARICOM’s bureaucratic inertia – Delayed implementation of the CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) since 2006, with missed deadlines for monetary union & trade harmonization
No enforcement mechanisms – Decisions rely on voluntary compliance, leading to inconsistent adoption (e.g., only 9 of 15 members implemented free movement protocols by 2025)
External Interference & Neo-Colonial Dynamics
Power vacuums – Haiti’s collapse has drawn competing interventions from Kenya, the U.S., & gangs, fracturing regional consensus
EU “BLACK-listing” – Arbitrary tax-haven designations undermine financial stability, with no unified CARICOM counterstrategy
⚖️ II. CARICOM’s Mixed Performance: Achievements vs. Shortcomings
Successes & Areas of Progress
Food Security – “25 by 2025” initiative reduced imports by 18% (2023–2025);
St. Kitts doubled fisheries revenue to $19.6M
Sargassum-based fertilizers, drought-resistant crops
Security IMPACS disrupted firearms trafficking via EU/Canada partnerships intelligence-sharing across 19 states
Regional ballistics database, training for Sint Maarten police
Climate Advocacy – Unified pressure for Loss & Damage Fund operationalization; solar/geothermal partnerships with EU
Barbados-led “Bridgetown Initiative” endorsed by UN
Critical Failures
Haiti Governance Crisis
No effective response to gang dominance (control 50% of Port-au-Prince) or 2025 humanitarian collapse
Institutional Paralysis:
Africa-CARICOM Summit (2021) – No 2nd summit held; visa/travel agreements abandoned
CSME Delays – Original 2008 deadlines for single currency & tax harmonization unmet; Haiti still not integrated
Democratic Erosion
“HOMICIDE RATES” up to 52.9/100k in Jamaica; corruption indices declining (e.g., St. Lucia fell from 71 to 55 on TI index)
🌐 III. Structural Barriers to Regional Integration
Sovereignty vs. Supranationalism
Members reject ceding authority (e.g., proposed CARICOM Commission stalled since 2007)
Rose Hall Declaration (2003) for “Mature Regionalism” remains unimplemented
Economic Dependencies
Tourism/food imports – 60% – 80% food dependency; volatile tourism revenue prevents investment pooling
Debt traps – Avg. public debt >100% of GDP limits fiscal coordination (e.g., Barbados’ 175% debt pre-restructuring)
Geopolitical Fractures
Venezuelan refugee crisis – 100,000+ migrants strain Guyana/Suriname, diverting resources from integration
Great Power Rivalry – China/Russia expanding influence in Cuba/Haiti, undermining CARICOM cohesion
💎 IV. Conclusion
CARICOM’s Viability & Future Pathways
CARICOM is partially functional in technical areas (food security, crime) but structurally flawed in crisis response & deep integration
A “NEW” Caribbean Union is currently unviable due to unresolved fragmentation drivers
Recommendations for Reform
Fix CSME Governance – Enforce binding votes for critical areas (e.g., climate, security)
Leverage Diasporas – Formalize Afreximbank’s $180M Trade Centre into Africa-Caribbean supply chains
“Mini-Lateral” Coalitions – Smaller functional groups (e.g., OECS-CRFM fisheries management) could bypass bloc-wide inertia
▶️ Reality Check
CARICOM’s survival hinges on depoliticizing technical cooperation while accepting asymmetric integration – not every state must join every initiative
As with the EU, a multi-speed Caribbean may be the only realistic path forward
#HereEndsTodaysLesson
@Artax
This is a political led event. Given what is happening today the average man has become apprehensive about mass movement of people within Caricom.
Beware the ideologues.
Well you have to look deeper than the fluff. A single market would require a single currency. So who stand to win with that? Well no doubt the push would be for the EC dollar, as USD dolarising would prove an embarassment to these same ” independant” states. So the acceptance of the value of the EC dollar would mean a devaluation of the Bds dollar to their value. Roughly a 30% discount on our dollar in other words. That would get the government a nice ease in the hands of the IMF too, as we can then claim “look we have made our dollar more competitive in the region.” You will still have your nice Grantley $100 of course, but in real terms it will only now have a little over 70 cents in current buying power!
Just remeber one thing in life that applies to ALL unions. THE STRONGEST ALWAYS HAVE TO SHARE STRENGTH WITH THE WEAKEST FOR BALANCE TO OCCUR.
JohnA
Nice ease? The borrowings are in $US, a devaluation would mean more of whatever the common currency is to repay. Unless the $US get seriously afraid the greenback is about to lose its dominance. A look in the mirror may help them, but the norm is to blame others. Hence, somebody may see positives in dollarizing elements of the ‘Global South’. Debt write offs would be welcomed 😁
I should add that a homicide rate of 9.77 is astonishingly high. However in the wild west Caribbean this figure is considered low.
@ Northern
When i said ease by the IMF I was speaking of an ease in any pressure to devalue our dollar as a condition going forward. I have no doubt they see it as overpriced. I mean when you look at the Guyanese dollar with all that country has going on with oil, you cant help but ask how are we able to maintain the value of our dollar based on our ecomomic size.
Even our economy seems to need continuous borrowing to keep it going, as our expenses annualy always seem to exceed our income with an ever increasing deficit being the outcome. That leaves one to ask what really is our economy worth net of ” prop up money?” Also how long can we keep going this way by borrowing more every year, with our economy only growing by rougly 3% a year? This chasing of cheaper finance cost and restructuring debt will reach ground zero. Although judging from the last 8% offering on government paper one can conclude that the days of borrowing cheap are over. Or should i say the CONDITIONS as oulined by the lender of cheap finance may well have become too rigid.
Everyone has appeared to overlook the fact that Dominica has a CBI scheme which has generated huge profits for their Prime Minister and his country. It has been red flagged by the USA.
This scheme allows for “….Family Inclusion: Ability to include dependent family members in the application, such as spouse, children, and parents…”.
Should Barbados be concerned that these “new Dominican citizens” will now be able to move and settle in Barbados unimpeded. This is utter madness on the part of this government.
I remember the days before the Barbados dollar/Barbados Central Bank, when there was one common currency, and the East Caribean Currency Authority was the sub-regional central bank, up until 1973 if I recall correctly.
I am uncertain why Barbados went to its own dollar, it was hubris I think. But anybody can correct me if I am wrong.
Cuhdear Bajan
RE: “I remember the days before the Barbados dollar/Barbados Central Bank, when there was one common currency, and the East Caribbean Currency Authority was the sub-regional central bank, up until 1973 if I recall correctly.”
Yes, you are correct that, before the Barbados Central Bank began issuing a national currency in 1973, Barbados used the Eastern Caribbean dollar EC$.
I remember, over ten (10) years ago a guy, even after I showed him photographs of Barbados dollars that were issued between 1938 and 1949, argued it was impossible for Barbados to have a currency, because we did not have a Central bank at the time.
Obviously, he was not aware of the history of money in this island.
That during the 1920s and 1930s, commercial banks in Barbados were authorised to issue their own Barbadian currency.
Between 1938 and 1949, the ‘Government of Barbados’ issued notes in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $20 and $100, all of which bore the portrait of King George VI.
https://one.bid/en/banknotes-barbados-1-dollar-1939/1583814#img-1
RE: ” am uncertain why Barbados went to its own dollar, it was hubris I think. But anybody can correct me if I am wrong.”
If you’re actually interested, I’ll recommend the book, “A History of Money and Banking in Barbados, 1627 -1973,” by Eric Armstrong.
If hubris, a big word for me, means the ability to issue Debt instruments without oversight by the EC CB, then it was hubris.
Not sure if you chaps are aware of this Caricom Reparations post on a ‘British Jones Diary’ blog
My guess is diplomatic moves have been made already before the info was released
@David could ya check ya bucket for a comment made for spiritual enlightenment..
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