MONTSERRAT BEVERLY WEST-JOSEPH AND ELAINE RYAN MARCH 2017 BACKGROUND: � 1 of 5 British Overseas Territory (BoT) based in the Leeward Islands � 18 th 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 of 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
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