Transcript Document 7370590

Social Protection in the
Caribbean
The St. Lucian Experience
Overview
Situational Analysis - Economic, Political
and Social Reality
Review of Social Protection Programmes
Identification of Main Actors within relevant
Ministry -PRF, BNTF
Registry System
Recommendations
Country Profile
Area 238 sq mi 606 sq km
Population 164,213
Life expectancy 73.3 years
Capital : Castries (60, 300)
Languages: English, French Creole
History 7 times French 7 times British
Government : Parliamentary Democracy
Political Situation
St Lucia became independent from the United Kingdom on 22nd February 1979.
It is governed by a UK-style representative system.
The British Monarch, represented by Governor-General, Dame Pearlette Louisy, is
the head of state.
Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and his or her Government.
The United Workers’ Party (UWP) Government led by Prime Minister Sir John
Compton, enjoys a 11-6 majority in Parliament after emerging victorious in general
elections held on December 11, 20061.
The main opposition party is the St. Lucia Labour (SLP) Party by Dr. Kenny Anthony
having lost election in December after two consecutive terms in office
Economic Situation
St. Lucia experienced a marked decline in economic growth during the 1990s and
early 2000s due to :
structural problems, including high labour and utilities costs,
the negative impact of the September 11, 2001 events on tourism
unfavourable weather on agriculture.
Expansionary fiscal policies were pursued after 1999 in an attempt to revive growth and
reduce unemployment, resulting in a steady rise in public debt.
Economic activity in St. Lucia was estimated to have risen by 5% during 2005, led by increased
activity in construction and within the hotels and restaurant industry.
The tourism industry continues to be the most important area of economic activity and
appears to hold the most potential for enhancing economic growth and development of St. Lucia.
Preliminary data indicate that real output in the economy grew by an estimated 5.4 percent in 2006,
primarily led by robust activity in the construction sector.
Economic Situation (cont’d)
The economy is therefore highly susceptible to
external macroeconomic shocks, magnified by
an undiversified production and export base and
exacerbated by natural disasters that have a
serious economic impact on banana and cocoa
crops.
St. Lucia is facing new economic challenges in
the context of globalisation and liberalisation.
Economic growth will depend on improvements
in the banana sector and expansion into nontraditional crops, tourism and other services.
Social Situation
St. Lucia has recently completed a Country
Poverty Assessment (CPA)
The purpose of the CPA was to generate
information and data on the living
conditions and the quality of life being
experienced by individuals, households
and communities with the objective of
deriving programmes and projects to
improve standards of living in the society.
Indigence and Poverty
Indigence and Poverty 1995 and 2005/06 Compared
(Percent)
1995
2005
Poor Households
18.7
21.4
Poor Population
25.1
28.8
Indigent Households
5.3
1.2
Indigent Population
7.1
1.6
Gini Coefficient
0.5
0.42
Findings – SLC/HBS
The indigence line was estimated to be:
Day
=EC$ 3.40
(US$ 1.27)
Month
Year
=EC$131
=EC$1,570
(US$46.06)
(US$ 588.02)
The poverty line (per adult) was estimated
to be:
Day
Month
Year
=EC$13.93
=EC$423.83
=EC$5,086
(US$5.22)
(US$158.74)
(US$ 1,904.87)
Poverty and Age
The data reveal that persons living below the
poverty line are disproportionately young in
comparison to the proportion of youth in the
general population.
The plight of the elderly poor was remarked
on by community residents.
Those who were totally reliant on public
assistance would have been among the
poorest, since public assistance payments
were lower than the indigence line.
Poverty and Gender
Micoud (27.5%), Vieux Fort (21.8%) and
Sub-Urban Castries (15.3%) recorded the
largest proportions of females classified as
indigent.
Another significant finding - high level of
indigence among men in Vieux Fort.
Per Capita Consumption Quintiles
2005
Poorest
II
III
Sex of Head of Household
IV
All St
Luci
a
Richest
%
Male
57.5
56.6
50.3
53.3
62.0
56.4
Female
42.5
43.4
49.7
46.7
38.0
43.6
Both Sexes
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Mean
Age of Head
49
50
49
50
53
51
Household Size
4.7
4.3
3.9
3.3
2.6
3.6
Children Per Household
1.9
1.5
1.2
0.9
0.5
1.1
Earners Per Household
1.6
1.5
1.3
1.1
0.7
1.2
1995
Sex of Head of Household
%
Male
51.7
49.0
49.1
58.3
67.0
56.7
Female
48.3
51.0
50.9
41.7
33.0
43.3
Both Sexes
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Mean
Age of Head
49.2
48.7
46.5
44.5
45.7
46.6
Household Size
5.3
4.6
4.2
3.7
2.6
3.8
Children Per Household
2.7
2.0
1.7
1.4
0.7
1.5
Earners Per Household
1.1
1.2
1.4
1.5
1.4
1.3
Geography of Poverty
Several rural districts exhibited prevalence rates in
excess of 35%.
Anse-la-Raye (44.9%)
Soufriere (42.4%)
Choiseul (38.4%)
Laborie (42.1%)
Micoud (43.6%)
Moreover, Anse-la-Raye and Micoud were observed also to
have had highest rates of indigence (5.3 per cent and 4.1 per
cent, respectively)
Poverty Head Count by District
2005/06
District
Population
Percent Indigent
Percent Poor
Poverty Gap
Poverty Severity
St Lucia 2005/06
164,842
1.6
28.8
9.0
4.1
St Lucia 1995
144,000
7.1
25.1
8.6
4.4
Castries City 2005/06
16,594
1.7
13.1
3.4
1.8
---
15.2
4.4
1.7
0.6
22.2
6.7
2.9
---
22.6
8.2
3.8
GROS-ISLET
Castries City 1995
Castries Sub-Urban
CASTRIES URBAN
51,100
Castries Sub-Urban 1995
CASTRIES RURAL
ANSE-LA-RAYE/CANARIES
Anse-La-Raye/ Canaries
10,287
5.3
44.9
17.7
9.6
Soufriere
9,329
0.4
42.5
12.4
4.8
Choiseul
5,401
38.4
9.7
3.8
Laborie
7,190
42.1
10.6
3.5
Vieux-Fort
14,096
4.8
23.1
10.2
5.9
Micoud
18,071
4.0
43.6
14.1
6.8
Dennery
11,986
34.2
11.4
5.2
Gros-Islet
20,787
24.4
5.8
2.2
DENNERY
SOUFRIERE
MICOUD
CHOISEUL
Poverty Head Count
LABORIE
VIEUX-FORT
13.1
13.2 - 24.4
24.5 - 38.4
38.5 - 44.9
±
Kilometers
0
2
4
8
Source: Central Statistical Office
Household Budget Survey 2005/2006
Cartographer: Sherma lawrence
Date of Publication: July 2006
0.4
Poverty Head Count shows the proportion of the population with a
standard of living below the poverty line.
Findings of the CPA (cont’d)
Vulnerability:
Using an estimate of 33 percent above the
poverty line as the criterion of vulnerability,
46.6 percent of the population was
deemed to be vulnerable: in addition to the
poor, an additional 16.2 percent of the
population would be vulnerable to shocks
that could place them below the poverty
line, were these to eventuate
Social Protection In St. Lucia
The social protection system in St. Lucia is varied and multi-dimensional.
It is ad hoc and reactive rather than proactive.
It is influenced by the availability of funds from the development partners
and the emphases on the international development agenda.
There is a lack of coordination
Civil society provides a strong system of social protection e.g the Church
particularly St. Vincent De Paul society
The private sector has increased its role in the social protection system.
Social Protection In St. Lucia
(Cont’d)
Commitment by Government – during the
recent budget the Prime Minister spoke of
“providing direct support to some of our
more vulnerable populations”
Characterised by existence of informal
strategies e.g. “coup de main”
Extended family support
Support by FBOs/CBOs
Key Social Protection Programmes
Area of
Focus
Labour
market
Social Assistance,
Social Services,
Health and
Education /
Participatory
Governance
Programme Type of
Beneficiaries
Title
institution
National Skills
Development Centre
Public
The unemployed
The National Enrichment
Learning Programme
(NELP)
Public
Adults who need education
enrichment
The Poverty Reduction
Fund (PRF)
Public
The poor
Basic Needs
Trust Fund
(BNTF)
Public
The poor
Key Social Protection Programmes
Area of
Focus
Social
Assistance,
Social Services,
Health and
Education
Programme Type of
Beneficiaries
Title
institution
Child and
family
Services
Public
Children at risk
Public assistance
Public
Individuals living below the
poverty line
Welfare Assistance
Programme
Public
Students who require assistance
for books and transportation
HIV/AIDS
Programme
Public
Persons living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) receive
monetary assistance to
cover food, rent and school
expenses
Key Social Protection Programmes
Area of
Focus
Social
Assistance,
Social Services,
Health and
Education
Programme Type of
Beneficiaries
Title
institution
National Council for
Persons with Disabilities
NGO
The disabled
National Council of and for
Older Persons
NGO
The elderly
St. Lucia save the
children Fund (LUSAVE)
NGO
Vulnerable children and
households
Key Social Protection Programmes
Area of
Focus
Programme Type of
Beneficiaries
Title
institution
Social Insurance
National Insurance
Corporation (NIC)
Public
The employed
Environment
/ national
hazards
The National
Emergency
Management
Office
(NEMO)
Public
National scale
Micro
insurance
and micro
savings
schemes
James Belgrave Micro
Enterprise Development
Fund (BELfund)
Public
Persons who
would
otherwise not
have access to
credit
Structure of Government
Key departments and agencies that
interface with communities and the
vulnerable population have recently been
placed under one umbrella ministry - The
Ministry of Social Transformation, Human
Services, Family Affairs, Youth and Sports.
Ministry of Social Transformation, Human
Services, Family Affairs, Youth and Sports
Major Departments
Community Services
Youth & Sports
Human Services & Family Affairs
Gender Relations
Research Information & Programming
Social AgenciesPoverty Reduction Fund
Basic Needs Trust Fund
National Conservation Authority
Policy Framework
Social Policy
Poverty Reduction Strategy
Integrated Social Protection Strategy
Targets all vulnerable groups
– Single parent households
– The poor and indigent
– Socially displaced persons
Homeless
Abandoned children
Vagrants
The elderly poor
Victims of substance abuse
deportees
Ministry of Social Transformation, Human Services, Family Affairs, Youth & Sports
Minister
Secretary
Minister in
the Ministry
Secretary
Permanent
Secretary
Secretary
Research &
Development
Unit
Project Management
Unit
Project
Manager
Director
Secretary
Development
Specialists (2)
Research
Officer
Accountant
II
Admin
Assistant
Department of
Gender Relations
Director
Gender
Relations
Officers
Research
Officer
Office Assistant
Driver
Accounts
Division
Accountant
II
Assistant
Accountant
Accounts
Clerk
Deputy Permanent
Secretary
Administrative
Support &
Ecclesiastical
Affairs
Community
Development
Division
Dept of Human
Services & Family
Affairs
Director
Director
Assistant
Secretary
Senior
Executive
Officer
Executive
officer
Clerk
Secretary
Admin
Assistant(2)
ITC Officer
Assistant
Director(N)
Assistant
Director(S)
Community
Development Officers
Clerk Typist
Regional Clerk
Receptionist
Driver
Office
Assistant
Family Case
Workers
Welfare
Officers
Secretary
Department of
Youth & Sports`
Social
Agencies
Poverty
Reduction
Fund
Basic Needs
Trust Fund
National
Conservation
Authority
National Skills
Development
Centre
Director
Placement/
Programme
Officer
Youth & Sports
Officers
Facilities
Management
Officers
Basic Needs Trust Fund
The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) was established under a regional Caribbean
Development Bank (CDB) initiative in 1979.
BNTF is now into its fifth programme cycle
The purpose of the Programme is to assist low- income communities to reduce their
vulnerability and to improve their access to public services through the provision of
social and economic infrastructure and the development of skills to enhance
employability
BNTF 5 will provide support to two main types of activities, namely:
-The development of social and economic infrastructure at the community level;
-Skills training (not less than 7% of the total grant).
Infrastructure projects may be in the following areas: water and sanitation, education,
health, physical welfare of vulnerable persons, community markets, access and
maintenance of facilities.
The Project also supports the strengthening of local institutions.
BNTF (cont’d)
Organizational Structure
Project
Manager
Community
Liaison Officer
Secretary
Administrative/
Accounts Officer
Office
Assistant
Office
Cleaner
PRF (cont’d)
Organizational Chart
Executive
Director
Community
Officer
Social Assistance
Coordinator
Administrative
Officer
Receptionist/
Administrative
Assistant
Office
Assistant/Driver
Senior
Accounts
Clerk
Office
Cleaner
Accounts
Clerk
The Poverty Reduction Fund
The Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) was established by the Parliament of Saint Lucia
though the Poverty Reduction Act No. 7 of 1998 and it became operational in July of
that year. Its mission is to reduce poverty, build social capital, improve socioeconomic conditions and increase access to and quality of basic economic
infrastructure and services across Saint Lucia, in a sustainable manner, including
environmental considerations.
Its design has followed the model of the social investment funds that have been
established in Latin America and other parts of the developing world in recent years.
Its primary purpose is to build local institutional capacity and to improve social and
economic infrastructure
Funded by the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL), World Bank and the European
Union.
It has recently completed its first programme cycle with an impact Study Report that
endorses its contribution to the delivery of community priorities.
PRF (Cont’d)
Its main domains of activity include:
Ø Provision of technical assistance and funding for social and
economic projects.
Ø Provision of models and experiences for later integration into
national policy and programmes.
Ø Mobilisation and participation by beneficiary communities.
Ø Strengthening of community-based and non-governmental
organisations.
These activities are grouped into two main sets of activities:
Ø Community projects, implemented according to the established project
cycle.
Ø A Social Assistance Programme.
Proposed Merger
In an effort to address fiscal and other constraints, the
Ministry of Social Transformation initiated the
amalgamation of the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF)
and the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF).
The main objective of the initiative is to develop an
operational framework for the establishment of one
agency that will serve as a delivery mechanism for the
provision of infrastructure and services to poor and
marginalized communities and groups in an efficient,
responsive and accountable manner.
Registry System
The National Insurance Corporation maintains a
registry of persons within the labour market - ie
NIC Contributors
The Civil Status Section of the Ministry of Justice
is the central repository of births, deaths and
marriage records
Data from the above institutions have not been
used to inform Social Protection Policy
The Division of Human Services keeps a limited
database of welfare recipients
Recommendations for Improvement of Social
Protection in St. Lucia
(as proposed by Dr. Henry-Lee in Social Protection and Poverty Reduction in the Caribbean: Examining Policy and Practice, St. Lucia
Country Review)
1. Promote “risk management” at the regional level through CARICOM and the soon
to be established CSME.
2. Develop a social protection strategy within an Integrated Development Plan with
a vision of where St. Lucia should be in 20 years time and what the basic skills of
every St. Lucian should be.
3. Establish a Council to coordinate the social protection programmes with the
Minister of Social Transformation as Chairperson.
4. Institutionalize the 20/20 vision (developed by UNICEF/UNDP), which advocates
that 20 percent of public expenditure and donor funds should be allocated to the
basic social services – primary health, nutrition, family planning and rural
sanitation.
Recommendations for Improvement of
Social Protection in St. Lucia (cont’d)
5. Encourage development partners to invest in
institutional capacity building to ensure effective
delivery of social protection instruments.
6. Invest in “good quality education” so that the
“jobs with decent wages” can be obtained.
7. Encourage the establishment of an umbrella
organization to coordinate and promote social
protection activities by non-governmental
organizations.
Recommendations for Improvement of
Social Protection in St. Lucia (cont’d)
There is also the need for:
Effective Targeting (the most vulnerable should get the
benefits)
Constant Monitoring and Evaluation
Means Testing
Community Participation
Adequate Information System/database
Thank You