Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Barbados

Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) (Ratification: 1972)
Invalidity, Old-Age and Survivors' Benefits Convention, 1967 (No. 128) (Ratification: 1972)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on social security, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 102 (minimum standards) and 128 (invalidity and old-age benefits) together.

Part XI (Standards to be complied with by periodical payments) of Convention No. 102, Article 65(10), and Part V (Standards to be complied with by periodical payments) of Convention No. 128, Article 29. Adjustment of old-age, invalidity, and survivors’ benefits. The Committee takes note of the statistical information contained in the Government’s report. The Committee recalls that, according to Article 65(10) of Convention No. 102 and Article 29 of Convention No. 128, periodical payments in respect of old-age, invalidity and death of the breadwinner shall be reviewed following substantial changes in the general level of earnings where these result from substantial changes in the cost of living. The Committee considers that the information provided does not enable for an assessment to be made of compliance with these provisions, as no comparison can be made between the variation of the cost-of-living and earnings indexes for a certain period, and the average variation of benefits paid in the same period. In this context, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide statistical data on the adjustment of survivors’ benefits under Title VI of Article 65 of the report form for Convention No. 102 and of old-age and invalidity benefits under Article 29 of the report form for Convention No. 128.

Part II (Invalidity benefit), Part III (Old-Age benefit) and Part V (Standards to be complied with periodical payments) of Convention No. 128, Articles 10, 17, 27 and Schedule to Part V. Replacement rates of invalidity and old-age benefits. The Committee notes that the minimum weekly old-age contributory pension and minimum invalidity pension were increased to $254.00 per week. The Committee also notes the new calculation method for the rate of pensions as of 1 April 2025. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the replacement rates of invalidity and old-age benefits, as required in the report form of Convention No. 128.

Part III (Old-Age benefit) of Convention No. 128, Article 15. Pensionable age. The Committee takes note of the demographic information contained in the Government’s report and of the absence of specific occupational categories deemed arduous or unhealthy that qualify workers for a lower pensionable age. The Committee also notes the establishment of a flexible retirement programme with the option of early retirement at 61 and deferred retirement at age 70. The Committee observes that this programme is based on an adjustment rate set at 0.583 per cent for each month earlier or later than the ordinary pensionable age (67 years since 1 January 2018). The Committee recalls that when the pensionable age is 65 or higher, and in order to provide additional protection through a more favourable system, a lowered pensionable age must be ensured, under prescribed conditions, in respect of persons who have been engaged in occupations that are deemed to be arduous or unhealthy. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged to ensure that workers engaged in occupations considered to be arduous or unhealthy are entitled, under prescribed conditions, to a lower pensionable age without reduction of their pensions.