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History
A look back at Barbados' history gives a sense of what
makes the island tick. The Portuguese were the first Europeans in Barbados'
history to explore there, drifting ashore the coral and limestone mountain
peak in search of fresh water in 1536. They did not stay for long, but
left the island with the name that would stick throughout the rest of
Barbados' history - the roots of fig trees native to the island reminded
them of beards; Barbados is Portuguese for "the bearded ones".
A new period in Barbados history began with the first
permanent settlement almost a century later, when the British established
the city of Holetown on the island's western coast in 1627. From then
on, Barbados' history as a British colony continued virtually uninterrupted,
with the island becoming an important trading port reliant mainly on
sugar exports to survive. Sugar cane dominated the economy throughout
Barbados' history until a few years after it achieved independence from
Britain in 1966, when airline travel increased allowing tourism to grow
exponentially.
Today's Bajans, most of whom descend directly from either
former plantation owners or their laborers brought to Barbados during
the 16th and 17th centuries, are intensely proud of Barbados' history
and the nation it has produced. Though tourism is Barbados' most important
industry, Bajans have worked hard to build upon the infrastructure left
by the British period of Barbados history to diversify and strengthen
their business community. British customs and traditions remain strong
here - afternoon tea and cricket are national institutions - but Barbados'
history has also evolved an independent nation whose standard of living
rivals any in the West Indies.
Activities
There should be plenty of things to do on your Barbados
vacation, so read up in advance and try to schedule in a few of the
following suggestions:
During their Barbados vacations, most visitors usually
spend at least a little time at some of the island's fabulous beaches.
All of the beaches on Barbados are open to the public, though east coast
beaches tend to be less popular with foreigners on Barbados vacations
because water conditions there are less predictable than in the south
and west. Southern beaches, like Carlisle Bay and Silver Sands, usually
attract younger crowds; the island's west or "Platinum" coast
is where a more upscale group spends their Barbados vacations, making
beaches in this area, like Mullins and Paynes Bay, less crowded though
no less beautiful.
Barbados vacations are also ideal for more dynamic ventures
like hiking. The Barbados National Trust maintains both challenging
and leisurely trails through the island's hills - an excellent way of
exploring the country's sites and keeping active during your Barbados
vacation. There should also be no trouble satisfying an appetite for
culture during your Barbados vacation; art galleries can be found throughout
Bridgetown's parish of St. Michael; the Barbados Jazz Festival in January
and Holder's Opera Season in March are world-renowned and should liven
up any Barbados vacation.
Getting a Caribbean job is not much different on
most islands, including Barbados.
Residence requirements
Permanent resident status and immigrant status
may be useful methods of entry into the Island to gain Barbados employment.
Such methods are, however, generally pursued by those seeking to create
more permanent ties to the Island outside of work itself.
Permanent resident status may be acquired upon application in the prescribed
form by a permitted entrant who had previously been accorded the status
of an immigrant by the Minister and has since resided in Barbados for
a period of not less than 5 years or is the spouse of a person who is
a citizen of Barbados whether by descent or birth.
Immigrant status is more flexible and may be acquired
by any interested person who satisfies the Minister that "by reason
of his education, occupational qualifications, personal history, employment
record, training, skills or other special qualifications has established
himself successfully in Barbados in a profession, trade, business or
agricultural enterprise" or by virtue of which is not only likely
to excel in these areas but has sufficient means to maintain himself
and his dependants in Barbados in the interim.
Work permits
The more usual course is to apply for a work permit.
There are no limitations on the persons who may apply for a Barbados
job work permit, but it is understood that immigration policy requires
persons offering some skill or expertise which supplements the domestic
job market. Application for a work permit must be in the prescribed
Form C1. Where the application is for a period not exceeding 6 months,
Form C3 is appropriate. In the case where the applicant has been offered
a job, the prospective employer must, in addition to the forms furnished
by the proposed employee, supply the Department with the appropriate
information in Form C2.
Formalities: The usual formalities of the age, sex, nationality and
country of permanent residence of the applicant must be stated in Form
C1. The applicant must also indicate his proposed address and where
the applicant has been offered employment, the name and address of the
prospective employer. Other pertinent information includes: the nature
of the proposed occupation, the marital status of the applicant, and
the identity of any dependants of the applicant who will be traveling
with the applicant. An outline detailing the names and addresses of
colleges, universities and educational institutions including trade
and vocational institutions attended, the duration of the course of
study, certificates and degrees received is also requested. Any additional
qualifications, skills and proficiency in the use of tools, machines
or other equipment, and a list of licenses relating to a profession,
trade or other qualifications, should also be detailed.
An outline of the applicant's employment history,
within three years prior to the application, must be documented including
the duties involved, the hours of work, and a list of tools, machines
and other equipment utilized in that capacity. Where this brief employment
history does not include an occupation relating to the proposed area
of employment for which the permit is being sought, any previous employment
in a related area should be documented. If any sums are to be repatriated
to persons overseas these persons should be listed on the application.
Less formal information is required in an application
for a short-term work permit. The usual formalities regarding the date
of birth, nationality and marital status are required. In addition,
the details of any accompanying family members or dependants must be
provided, along with academic history, work experience, the proposed
date of entry into Barbados, and duration of stay. A resume outlining
academic and work details is usually accepted as part of the Form.
Documentation: Documents must be lodged in support of any information
supplied in the application forms. Such documents include photographs
of the applicant, one of which must be a certified true photograph of
the applicant, a police certificate of character (or affidavit of character
where the first is not possible) preferably from the foreign employee's
country of residence, two written character references and, in the case
of an application for an extension, a Tax Clearance Certificate from
the Commissioner of Inland Revenue.
Documentary evidence of the qualifications of the
foreign employee is also required. As it is not always feasible to provide
original documents, notarized copies are allowed. A photocopy may be
provided with the original where the return of the original is urgently
required. Documents which are not in the English language are to be
translated. Translation services are offered locally and forwarded to
the Immigration Department together with the certification of the Translator
as to the accuracy of the translation and the competency of the translator.
Affidavits or published materials are also acceptable evidence of the
foreign employee's qualifications in the capacity deposed to. A medical
certificate, preferably, though not exclusively, from a local medical
practitioner, chest x-rays or results of chest x-rays if carried out
locally, are also required.
Fees payable: A fee of BDS$100 is payable at the
time of application. A receipt, under hand of the Accountant-General,
evidencing payment of the same may be submitted. Annual fees are also
payable in respect of work permits. The annual fees vary according to
the nature of employment involved. Where the work permit is for a period
exceeding one year, the sum is multiplied accordingly and is payable
in advance.
Obligation of foreign employer: Where there has
been a Barbados job offer to the foreign employee, the employer must
also submit an application on his or her behalf. In addition to providing
the name of the proposed employee, the employer must indicate the full
name, telephone number, address or registered office and the address
or location where the proposed foreign employee is expected to work
in Barbados.
A brief description of the nature of the employer's
business or activity, the capital formation of the company outlining
its share capital, number of shares and the percentage of ownership
held by citizens of Barbados, permanent residents, and other individuals
is also required. If the applicant company is a subsidiary or affiliate
of a foreign-based company, the name of the parent company should be
indicated.
Information relating to the conditions of work
for the employee is also solicited on the form. These queries include:
the number of employees performing the same work as the foreign employee,
the number of employees working with the foreign employee, the date
from which the employment is to start, whether the proposed position
is seasonal, and the number of positions to be filled by foreign labor
pursuant to the company's application.
The Barbados job title must also be indicated as
the Ministry is interested in verifying that the position in question
is not unionized or the subject of an existing labor dispute. The proposed
salary must be indicated, including any rates for overtime, commissions
or otherwise, the job to be performed and the equipment to be utilized
in the process. Further, the basic education, training and practical
requirements for the position must be submitted in detail. The precise
position of the foreign employee must be identified, including the supervisory
position governing the proposed position of the foreign employee, the
type and degree of any such supervision and, where the foreign employee
holds a supervisory position, the number of persons to be supervised
by the foreign employee.
