MONTSERRAT BEVERLY WEST-JOSEPH AND ELAINE RYAN MARCH 2017 - - PDF document

MONTSERRAT

BEVERLY WEST-JOSEPH AND ELAINE RYAN MARCH 2017

BACKGROUND:

1 of 5 British Overseas Territory (BoT) based in the Leeward

Islands

18th July 1995 the Soufriere Hills became active this is following

Hurricane Hugo which took place in 1989

1995 – 2000 two thirds of the population left the island The effects of these disasters are still being experienced as

they impacted on the economic, social, political and cultural fabric of the island

The population currently stands at approximately 4,900

Challenges:

The challenges further compounds the difficulties experienced in

developing a coherent social protection system – which has led to an ad hoc system known as the Social Welfare System (Social Welfare Act 1999). The Social Security system works in collaboration with us from 2013 to present date.

United Kingdom support by way of providing - Development Aid Funds Montserrat aspires to attain economic self-sufficiency in the medium

to long term and has been guided since 1997 by a series of medium term sustainable development plans (SDP)

The Social Protection system – the Social Security system

Social Protection -

To qualify for assistance under this Act an applicant must: Satisfy the relevant specific eligibility criteria as required Cash and food assistance One off food and appliance programme Rental assistance programme School support Community medical and nursing service Funeral grants Home Care / Meals on Wheels

Contd.,

Satisfy the following additional requirements: Apply to the department as prescribed Be a vulnerable person or group Satisfy the specific eligibility criteria for

benefits

Be a legal resident in Montserrat If eligible agree to an exit strategy

The Social Security Benefits

The Mission Statement: The Montserrat Social Security Fund is committed to managing the Fund in a transparent, sustainable and equitable manner through innovativeness, teamwork and professionalism in its operations and providing prudent value for all stakeholders

Coverage of the scheme

All registered employees, self-employed and voluntary contributors are

covered under the scheme

Persons under sixteen and persons over pensionable age are excluded from

the scheme

Statistics:

2016 data illustrates that up to 286 employers/self employed persons 1979 Employees 834 Pensioners

Contribution rates:

The current contribution rate stands at 9% 4% contributed by the employee 5% contributed by the employer 1% for eventuality (injury) Self employers – 8% Voluntary contributions pay 5.25%

Earnings and Contributions

The maximum is EC$923 per week or EC$ 4,000

per month

Administrative Procedures for affiliation, contribution collection and benefit payments

Employers must ensure all employees are duly registered and produce proof

• f such is requested

Employers are responsible to facilitate the registration of all employees The continued employment or engagement of an unregistered employee

constitutes an offence

Employer are required to keep business records to include the details of all

their employees

• Employers are held personally responsible for failure to deduct the

employees component of the deductible contributions

Under the Act employers are required to grant access to the Social Security

Inspectors on their request

Difficult to cover groups

Non established workers Domestic workers Carers Construction workers Self employed Migrant workers Fisherman Rural workers and farmers

Four Key Reasons

Informal workers Seasonal workers Migrant workers Self employed

Current proposed practices

The system is currently under review UNICEF – Situational Analysis Social Protection floor Universal benefits Minimum wage