During the program, the Hon. Joseph Parry asked, “How could Nevis accommodate an influx of immigrants to our shores in terms of housing, schooling and employment?”

According to the CCM manifesto, it is their view that the population of Nevis has to be encouraged to grow. At roughly 12,000 people, Nevis suffers from a lack of critical population mass… To put it bluntly, Nevis needs people. The Concerned Citizens Movement in Government shall:

“Revisit the immigration policy for the island by seeking to encourage migration to Nevis…

“Issue 2 year work permits for non nationals.

“Waive work permit fees and/or changes for all those non nationals living legally in Nevis for 8 years”

Source: CCM Manifesto 2011

The Hon. Joseph Parry said that the CCM’s “dangerous and sinister policies” would result in an influx of foreigners and Nevis has to ”consider the consequences”.

“We need more jobs here for Nevisians. We already don’t have enough. If we are competing against an influx of foreigners for jobs, more Nevisians will be unemployed,” commented the Premier.

The Hon. Joseph Parry said that the CCM plot would drive down wages in Nevis and more people desperately seeking work means that employers can slash wages, harming working Nevisians.

“It’s simple economics,” the Premier commented. “The more people looking for work the cheaper employers’ can hire workers for and where would that leave Nevisians?”