Basseterre, St. Kitts (February 25, 2004): One of several Social Security officials visiting CARICOM territories arrived in the Federation yesterday on an assessment mission.
The project entitled the CARICOM Social Security Project is aimed at taking a comprehensive look at the past, present and future of Social Security systems in the region.
Mrs Johanna John-Bertrand told SKNIS that during her visit she hopes to gather data and get first hand information from representatives of stakeholder groups regarding their perceptions of social security.
Respondents include social security and planning unit officials, the general public and private sector officials.
In carrying out an assessment of the future of Social Security, Mrs. John-Bertrand said an assessment of the state of readiness of Social Security systems in the region for the transition into free movement is a key issue.
Mr. Chesil Hamilton Manager of Social Security Public Relations told SKNIS that the region’s social security systems have undertaken a move to deal with the issue.
According to Mr Hamilton Social Security already has reciprocal agreements with OECS territories which cater to short and long term benefits so that if a person moves from one territory to another, that person’s contributions are totalised. A similar CARICOM reciprocal agreement is in place for long term benefits.
Mrs. Johanna John-Bertrand, who leaves the Federation today, explained that based on responses from her tour so far CARICOM nationals seem generally to have a favourable impression of Social Security.
