Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Social Policy (Non-Metropolitan Territories) Convention, 1947 (No. 82) - Montserrat

Part III of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living and other social policy objectives. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has continued its economic and social development while making some necessary adjustments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional assistance had to be provided in terms of food, medical services, education and public services to meet the socio-economic and health needs of the most vulnerable and to ensure the protection of children. The Committee notes, in this regard, that the budget and action plan for 2023–24 aim to improve the quality of life by adjusting wages in the public service, transforming the health system, increasing funding in the education sector, building new housing and social housing, reforming the social security system and strengthening community programmes for vulnerable groups. Furthermore, in its previous comment, the Committee noted the development of the Economic Growth Strategy (EGS) in 2017 and observes that the strategic direction of the EGS continues, as it is part of the new sustainable development plan. Consultations on phase II of the plan began in May 2022 and focus on validating the results of phase I and developing strategies, programmes and activities to be implemented in the short, medium and long term. Lastly, the Committee notes that the Government launched a new population and housing census in 2023, which includes several new questions on unpaid work, health, disability and COVID-19. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date information on the economic and social development of Montserrat, so that the improvement of living standards is regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development (Article 6 of the Convention), in particular by indicating: (1) the progress made in the consultation process relating to the new sustainable development plan; (2) the expected and observed impact of the measures adopted under this new plan and the action plan for 2023–24, where appropriate; and (3) the measures expected following the completion of the population and housing census in 2023.