SVG hosts CARICOM meeting on strengthening social security

“A society cannot grow without having safeguard for its people; and the people in this context would be all of our CARICOM people.”

This was the sage advice given by Dr Olivia Smith, the deputy programme manager (free movement and labour) within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy Unit at the CARICOM Secretariat, as she delivered remarks last Wednesday at a two-day workshop{{more}} focused on strengthening social security systems within the CARICOM member states.

Delivering the feature address was Minister of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities and Youth Frederick Stephenson, who explained that the workshop was designed to provide training for participating member countries with regard to the Social Security Reciprocal Agreement.

“The intent of the reciprocal agreement is, therefore, to remove any possible inhibitors to the movement within CARICOM, and to ensure that these persons who move are afforded the same protection as those who contributed and remained in their home country,” elaborated Stephenson.

“If we are to agree that social security systems are critical to the well-being of persons who have contributed to the labour force within the domestic arena, then one must be cognizant of the necessity to allow persons who are so inclined to move freely within CARICOM… without losing the benefits to which they would otherwise have been entitled if they did not opt to move.”

This two-day workshop brought together 12 of the 15 CARICOM member states that have signed up to the reciprocal agreement, and is the fourth workshop of its kind. Additionally, the training provided at this workshop was designed to provide member states with the technical capacity to effectively operate the CARICOM Social Security Reciprocal Agreement.

Dr Smith noted that while much has been done to further develop this reciprocal agreement at the CARICOM level, it can only be moved forward through engagement at the member state level.

“We all have to be involved in the process if we are all going to make it happen. It will not happen by us talking about it; we must put our hands to the plough.”

This was reiterated by Minister Stephenson, who pointed out that a major obstacle occurring at present is one of harmonization of legislation across the various social security systems of CARICOM member states.

He explained: “For instance, there are differences in the parameters and eligibility governing the awards of benefits. In some cases, the age requirement is different, and in other instances, the number of contributions are different.”

The minister also identified the varying financial strengths of the social security systems within CARICOM member states as another issue that poses challenges.

“Despite these challenges… we must determine to make the agreement work. There is no giant that we cannot conquer if we effectively leverage our capabilities as a region,” he insisted.

Chair of the National Insurance Board Lennox Bowman also addressed the opening ceremony of the workshop, highlighting the need to address the key fundamentals if the workings of the social protection framework and the reciprocal are to be fully realized.

“The issues of labour force, practices relating to the disclosures and certification, skill set, wage levels, gender participation and health related issues specifically related to matters of occupational safety and health, must be fully assessed as key components of the coverage dynamics – which must be emphasized, if participation is to be enhanced and safeguarded,” he asserted.

Executive director of the SVG National Insurance Services Reginald Thomas also gave brief remarks.

Describing the effort being put into the reciprocal agreement as “crucial”, Thomas said: “The work which we are called upon to do is important and very significant… We are just about a dot in the sphere of the world and on the global scene, and we should always strive to get social protection and social security right.”

He added: “We have a unique opportunity to ensure that this Social Security Reciprocal Agreement is so administered that it becomes a model, not only for the Caribbean, but for Latin America, for Asia and for Africa.” (JSV)