Cabinet approves initiatives on immigration

Cabinet has announced three initiatives arising from that body’s meeting on Tuesday. In response to the report of the Social Security Reform Commission, several recommendations will be enacted immediately, including the regular publication of financial statements, investment guidelines and new investment proposals. Other changes include tying modification of benefits to actuarial review and an increase in the size of the Social Security Board to nine members.

The report of the Commission of Inquiry on immigration has resulted in similar proposals for increased transparency. These include rigid criteria for the granting of citizenship, a basic nationality test and annual public reporting on the number of new citizenships granted each year.

And in the fuel industry, Cabinet has approved draft legislation to recognize the Petroleum Haulers Association as the sole body responsible for the safe movement of fuel around the country. A licensing system will be established to limit exactly who is eligible to participate in what, thanks to the Corozal Free Zone, has become a large and lucrative activity.