1. ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES OECS Free Movement and Contingent Rights Safiya Horne-Bique Programme Officer III, Regional Integration Unit Programme Officer III, Regional Integration Unit 23 rd March, 2015 1

2. OECS Economic Union: OECS Economic Union: Revised Treaty of Basseterre Establishing OECS Economic Union (RTB): RTB entered in force 21 st Jan. 2011 The RTB enacted into national law in 7 Protocol Members States Protocol to the RTB - Article 12 Confers the Right to Freedom of Movement of OECS Citizens in the Economic Union Area Rights Contingent to the freedom of Movement -Article 13.4 (b) The Creation of an Economic Union wide labour market -Article 23 – Human and Social Development 2

3. OECS Economic Union : OECS Economic Union : Free Movement of People: Effective 1 st August 2011 All Member States are implementing 3 All Citizens can move No work permit require Indefinite stay ID accepted No economic means test Drive in a MS with a valid license from another All Citizens can move No work permit require Indefinite stay ID accepted No economic means test Drive in a MS with a valid license from another

4. OECS Economic Union : OECS Economic Union : Contingent Rights: Policy on Contingent Right clearly articulates rights to be conferred on OECS citizens and their families Consideration: Maintaining the quality of life Protection of the unity of the family structure Rights based approach International Instruments 4

5. OECS Economic Union : OECS Economic Union : Contingent Rights : Rights Defined A Citizen of a Protocol Member State who exercises the right to freedom of movement within the Economic Union area shall enjoy equal rights and privileges as a citizen of the host Member State. The right of an OECS citizen to move and reside freely within the OECS Economic Union and to enjoy rights and privileges as citizens, shall also be accorded to their family irrespective of nationality 5

6. OECS Economic Union : OECS Economic Union : Free Movement of People: Contingent Rights – Specific Rights Access to the resources: through cash advances, labour market schemes, other social safety net mechanisms Right to primary and secondary education; The right of children, to access scholarships, bursaries and assistance Right to Social Security The right to healthcare, including:  access to specialized treatment;  treatment by drugs where programmes exist;  hospitalization on referral by a medical practitioner 6

7. The Council is being asked: Consider and discuss the policy approach to the implementation of the rights contingent to the right of freedom of movement in the Economic Union Area; Endorse the recommendations of the Working Group on Movement of People; and Recommend to the OECS Authority the Member States approve the approach to the implementation of the right of freedom of movement in the Economic Union Area 7

8. For more Information on the OECS Economic Union Visit our website http://www.oecs.org Call us (758) 455 6327 Email us: oecsec@oecs.orgoecsec@oecs.org shbique@oecs.org Follow us: 8