Cabinet approves Social Protection policy
Cabinet has approved the long-awaited Social Protection Policy after the Health Ministry announced its completion earlier this year.
The new development, announced late last week, highlights a renewed focus on providing financial assistance and strengthening social safety nets in the territory.
According to the Cabinet release, the policy aims to “improve governance, progressively expand coverage through effective design, efficient service delivery, and adequate financing of social protection, and strengthen the resilience and adaptability of core social protection functions”.
This comprehensive approach ensures more equitable support for the most vulnerable in the BVI.
The Cabinet decision, made on September 18, also authorised the Health Ministry to engage a UNICEF legal consultant to draft the Social Protection Bill. This legislation will align with the new policy and incorporate recommendations from the recently approved Social Assistance Programme Design. The Attorney General’s Chambers will guide the drafting process.
Benefits for residents
The policy introduces amendments to the Public Assistance Legislation, strengthening social support for vulnerable groups. The changes include the introduction of basic income grants, hardship allowances, and shock response grants under the Public Assistance (Amendment) Act 2024. These measures are expected to provide much-needed financial relief to those facing economic challenges.
Health Minister Vincent Wheatley previously emphasised the policy’s broader relevance, noting the importance of integrating mental health and climate change considerations into social protection. He described the approach as a holistic package to address interconnected challenges.
The National Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) will oversee the policy’s implementation. This coordinating body is tasked with ensuring cohesive policy development and monitoring progress.
With the Cabinet’s approval of the Social Protection Policy, residents can anticipate more robust support systems. During the recent budget speech, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley stated, “We expect that soon persons in need will see increased assistance to cope with these difficult times.”
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Why would anybodyturn up to their non-jobs in the BVIGovt if they can stay at home and watch tv and still get paid.
Every person in the BVI will be ‘protected’ from working for a living.
IF THIS, “noting the importance of integrating mental health and climate change considerations into social protection” HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH ELON MUSK ROBOTS REPLACING HUMAN JOBS IN EXCHANGE FOR UNIVERSAL SALARY THEN REJECT!!!!!
IT IS WRITTEN, “IF MAN DOES NOT WORK HE CANNOT EAT.”
IT IS WRITTEN “BY THE SWEAT OF YOUR BROW YOU SHALL EAT.”
IF THE MOST HIGH DID NOT ALLOW IT, DON’T BOW TO IT.
This is the kind of behind the scenes work that has been happening that does not get the publicity of the negative stories and it is really the duty of the agency to get it out there in the public. many time the Ministers doing to nuts and bolts work of functioning government don’t get the credit.
Good! We dont need any homeless. Man or woman old or young.
The VI was built on looking out for each other and that is what should continue like the good Samaritan.
To often too, legislations such as tese are prejudicially a nd discrminatorily handed out.
I speak as a prolonged victim of such. Have my Rep from day of him being elected to the 9th, but instead i would be sent an ffice where nothing would ever materialize.
I am not living through two consecutve years of illness i Florida. And after gving 35 plus years of dedicated pedagogic service, the dogs and cats and even the pigs receive more recognition of need than me..
When officials charged to carryout official duty can be so brutal an heartless to their subordinates and face no accountabulity, then something is wrong with the entire system.
I can no loger expect anyone of them to give me my increments owed or finish paying me for salary lost.
Only legal action will address this now it seems.
It now also appears that, in this town, in that village, if you don’t vote for me, you will suck salt, but will never benefit from government services that you hve earned.
Hence, i am still awaitting increments earned and my correct pension owed to include an increase in Social Security.
The devils gutted and deferred any and all benfits for an entire career.
District Rep nor no one else, except for one gaurdian angel sought help.
No more than two increments in thirty-five years ther conscience allowed to me. Else where in the department, not one scarp of paper could be found, after thirty five years indicating any performance evaluations or other, or that i was even an employee with the department.
No reader, your eye are not fooling you, this is how local people in positions of authority treat other locals they consider vermin. Now they should know why i smoked ad became sick.
Now though the situation was some what satisfactorily settled, it was not completely..
Hence, i am still increments and funds that performance evaluations and others would have brought in.
I think the powers that be need to reopen my this case and finally resolve it, and perhaps legislation like that above can be enacted for those like me who were brutalized, victimized and traumatize in many aspect should therefore be compensated fully.
I therefore call on the Governor, Premier, District nine Representative and minister of Education to rectify this egregious employee oppression befre further action is deserved..