Social Protection in the Caribbean: Processes, Lessons Learnt and Institutional Context

1. Social Protection in the Caribbean: Processes, Lessons Learnt and Institutional Context Puente in the Caribbean Program – Phase II Introductory Workshop May 27-29, 2009 Castries, St. Lucia PRESENTER: MS. JOVIL MARTIN, DIRECTOR COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT St. Kitts and Nevis

2. Profile • Two island Federation, Nevis being the smaller • Population: 47,000 (2003), Nevis (9,600) • 2004 UNDP Human Development Index ranks St. Kitts and Nevis 39th among 174 countries • St. Kitts and Nevis is the smallest nation in the Caribbean region siteresources.worldbank.org/.../StKittsandNevisCountryOverview.pdf

3. Political context • Independent since 1983 • Last election was held in 2004. The current administration, the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party, has three terms • There is a National Assembly in St. Kitts that provides for eleven elected representatives, eight from St. Kitts and three from Nevis. • Separate elections are held for the National Assembly and the Nevis Island Assembly. The executive function of government is carried out by the Cabinet while legislative authority rests with the Parliament. • There is no local government in St. Kitts • The Nevis Island Assembly and the Nevis Island Administration have legislative and administrative responsibility for Nevis within the confines of the Federal structure • Nevis, has its own executive branch (Nevis Island Administration) • A number of referenda on secession from St. Kitts have been held, but have not passed.

4. Economic Context • Sugar industry closed in 2005 • Undergoing a transition to tourism and financial services • GDP (2007): $477.4 million. • GDP growth rate (2006): 5.8%. • Per capita GDP (2006): $8,546. • Inflation (2006): 5.25%. • In2007 the main economic activity in the country were banking and insurance, construction, manufacturing and wholesale/retail representing 55.5 percent of GDP • Total public and publicly guaranteed debt grew from 178.32% in 2005 to 185% in 2007

5. Economic Context • There is a self-imposed structural programme • A programme of investment incentives for businesses, to encourage domestic and foreign private investment • Policies provide liberal tax holidays, duty-free import of equipment and materials, and subsidies for training provided to local personnel. • Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.

6. Social Context • Life expectancy for men 65, women 75 • The literacy rate is 98%. • Education is compulsory for all children 5-16 • Since 1972 all students reaching the age of twelve are guaranteed a place in secondary schools • Universal access also to health care • 2002 pegged poverty at 30% with 14% of the people living below the indigence line of EC $200.00 month • 67.8% of the poor are under twenty-five years of age, • 56% of the poor are women

7. Inherited a social assistance policy model based on the English Poor Law tradition • Social Assistance Act 1998 • Crime and violence on the increase • Teenage pregnancy • Drug abuse

8. INSTITUTIONAL MAPPING

9. INSTITUTIONAL MAPPING

10. STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT

11. REGISTRY SYSTEM

12. Key issues • St. Kitts and Nevis has many good social protection programmes Shows government commitment. • Services are Non conditional, systems of graduation not built in. Creates a high level of dependency • Improvements are needed in the coordination of the different agencies and services • There is a lack of a social policy framework which contributes to overlapping of functions and duplication of effort/services • Shift from social assistance to social development is required

13. KEY ISSUES • Economy is vulnerable and Public debt will remain high for many years to come • Social Services have suffered /shrinking budget in the face of downturn in economy

14. BUILDING PARTNERSHIPSFor Social Development and Poverty Reduction European Union funded Institutional Strengthening for Social And Economic Development Project • Policy Review • Rationalization of policy/operations to match resources • A transparent targeting framework • Capacity Building to withstand external pressure • Systems • Streamline systems of delivery of the various benefits • Means testing to minimize leakage • Reviewing targeting mechanisms

15. 3.Resources • Institutional Review • Financial management systems Concordia University 1. Management Information System UWI 1. Research

16. Building Partnerships Chile Puente Programme Implementation of Chile Puente in St Kitts and Nevis will need these basic processes addressed in order to succeed

17. THANK YOU