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

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Part III of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living and other objectives of the social policy. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the economy, particularly the tourism sector, has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding lockdown measures. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government regarding the measures adopted to address the negative impact of the pandemic, including the reintroduction, in collaboration with the Social Security Board, of the Unemployment Benefit Scheme and the implementation of the Unemployment Assistance Programme to support those persons who were not eligible for compensation under the social security scheme. According to the ILO Department of Statistics (ILOSTAT), in 2020, 68.8 per cent of the population were covered by at least one social protection benefit (60.1 per cent of men and 74.1 per cent of women). The Government reports that additional support programmes were implemented through the Department of Social Development, such as school lunch programmes and cash payouts to pensioners. Moreover, the Government refers to the adoption of the Property Tax (Rates) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020, and the Interim Stabilization Levy (Waiver of Obligations) Regulations, 2020, which introduced property tax reductions as well as the interim stabilization levy. While noting the difficult situation prevailing in the country due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the nature and impact of the measures planned and taken to ensure the economic and social recovery of Anguilla as well as updated information illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as an important focus of Government policy.

Part V of the Convention. Minimum wages and protection of wages. The Committee notes with interest that a new Minimum Wage Advisory Committee (MWAC) was established on 16 June 2020. The Government reports that the MWAC submitted a Work Plan and Schedule of Activities through the Ministry of Home Affairs for its consideration by the Executive Council. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on progress made in the fixing of minimum wage rates by the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee (MWAC). The Committee notes, however, that the Government does not provide information on the measures taken to ensure compliance with the provisions of the 2018 Labour Code on the protection of wages, and on the sanctions imposed in cases where violations have been identified. The Committee therefore reiterates its previous request.

Part VI of the Convention. Non-discrimination. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Labour (Relations) Act of 2018 was adopted on 3 January 2019. The Government indicates that this is the first of three instalments which will lead to a full set of Labour laws for Anguilla, and which will replace the 2018 Draft Labour Code. The Government reports that the Draft Labour (Welfare and Equality) Act is expected to be passed in 2023. The Government states that this draft addresses issues of discrimination that were previously included in the 2018 Draft Labour Code. In the interim, the Government points out that section 97 of the Labour (Relations) Act does address unlawful discrimination in instituting disciplinary action against employees. The Committee observes that the Government’s report does not include information on the impact of the Labour Code of 2018 on the implementation of policies and programmes designed to improve standards of living. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the status of the adoption of the Draft Labour (Welfare and Equality) Act, and to provide a copy once it is adopted. Moreover, it reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed updated information on the impact of the Labour Code of 2018 on the implementation of policies and programmes designed to improve standards of living.

Part VII of the Convention. Education and training. The Government reports that the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) Council is currently in the process of strengthening and modernizing the TVET Policy. In this regard, the Government indicates that it is also in the process of determining which operational standards it intends to pursue with a view to developing a national standards curriculum. The Committee observes, however, that the Government does not provide information on the impact of the different vocational training and apprenticeship programmes. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the nature, scope and impact of the measures taken with a view tostrengthening and modernizing the TVET Policy. It also reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed information on the impact of the different vocational training and apprenticeship programmes, including statistical information on the number of programme participants, disaggregated by sex and age.