DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PRIORITY H: Protecting and caring for the most socially vulnerable in the society.
About priority H
- Vulnerability is determined by the degree to which individuals or households can afford a range of goods and services compared to Tobago’s median household income.
- Defining vulnerability this way will help establish the basis for incorporating income in developing social vulnerability indices.
- Monitoring and evaluating social vulnerability constitute essential elements in social planning to safeguard the fundamental rights of all Tobagonians to attain an adequate standard of living.
- Monitoring and evaluating social vulnerability also ensures that the THA remains committed to the core principles of benevolence and prosperity for all.
- Protecting and caring for Tobago's most vulnerable individuals will require an inclusive governance approach that encompasses comprehensive social protection systems, focusing on accessible healthcare and education, community support, and economic empowerment.
- Addressing the diverse needs of Tobago’s vulnerable population will guarantee that no citizen or legal resident is marginalized and that all individuals are afforded the opportunity to thrive within Tobago's society and economy.
Primary performance benchmark: Priority H
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Benchmark: Ensure 60% of vulnerable citizens and legal residents receive a minimum universal vulnerability income support by 2035 and 100% by 2045, e.g., Universal Child Benefit, UCB, Universal Disability Benefit, UDB, and Universal Unemployment Benefit, UUB.
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Indicator of progress/success: The percentage of eligible vulnerable citizens and legal residents receiving the minimum universal vulnerability income support year-over-year.
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Benchmark country: Canada, the province of Ontario
Major concerns: Priority H.
| Concerns | Problem Statements |
| Social safety net | a. Lack of a coordinated and fully integrated approach to social protection under one social Safety Net. |
| Longevity gap | b. Increases in the longevity gap, i.e., the difference between retirement age and life expectancy and the related economic impact on social support services. |
| Demand for support services | c. High demand for social support services |
| Inadequate funding | d. Inadequate funding to meet the demand for social support. |
| Prioritization of vulnerability | e. Low prioritization for addressing the needs of vulnerable persons. |
1.0 Selected Focus Areas Priority H?
The Division of Health, Wellness, and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Division of Finance and the Economy, along with other divisions, will lead the THA’s effort to protect Tobago’s socially vulnerable population by focusing on the following areas:
- Strengthening Social Protection Systems:
- Social Protection Programs: Establish and expand social protection programs that target the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. These programs will provide nutrition support, conditional cash transfers, and various subsidies to ensure that Tobago’s vulnerable population can meet their essential needs.
- Healthcare Access: Ensure that vulnerable groups have access to affordable, quality healthcare services. This includes expanding healthcare coverage and providing targeted support for those in need.
- Access to Essential Services:
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Leverage digital technologies to enhance access to essential healthcare, education, and financial services. Digital platforms will facilitate contactless social protection payments, unified digital health records, and online learning platforms, making it easier for vulnerable groups to access social support services.
- Education: Implement digital education platforms to bridge gaps in educational access. These platforms will provide quality education regardless of a student’s location and circumstance, ensuring that vulnerable persons can learn and succeed.
- Inclusive Economic Growth:
- Economic Opportunities: Promote entrepreneurship and job creation to secure economic opportunities for vulnerable groups. This will be achieved through vocational training programs, microfinance initiatives, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Financial Inclusion: Promote financial inclusion by providing access to digital payment systems and banking services. This would empower vulnerable groups to manage their finances more effectively and participate more fully in the economy.
- Community Engagement and Empowerment:
- Community-Based Initiatives: Support community-based initiatives that empower vulnerable groups. This includes promoting self-protection strategies and building community resilience to cope with crises.
- Public Awareness and Advocacy: Conduct public awareness campaigns to promote the rights of vulnerable groups and foster social inclusion. This will help to reduce stigma and discrimination and create a more inclusive society.
- Addressing Specific Vulnerabilities
- Protection from Exploitation: Implement measures to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation, including human trafficking and labour exploitation. This involves enforcing laws, raising awareness, and providing support services for vulnerable Tobagonians who may be at risk of exploitation.
MAIN REFERENCE INFORMATION
- Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication
- Social Protection Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago
- National Social Mitigation Plan 2017 - 2022 “Building Resilience To Secure Our Nation
- DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 2022
- RESILIENCE IN ACTION: SOCIAL POLICIES TO NAVIGATE UNCERTAINTY IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
- Adaptive Social Protection Systems for Vulnerable Populations
OTHER INFORMATION
Targets and Indicators of Progress/Success
Target-H-1
Establish the Department of Family Services, DFS and place all social programs under the department by 2026.
Indicator-H-1
The Department of Family Services is operational by 2026.
Target-H-2
Establish Service Tobago, ST as the implementation Unit for the delivery of Family Services, by 2026.
Indicator-H-2
Service Tobago is operational by 2026.
Target-H-3
Establish the Tobago Vulnerability Index, TVI, 2027.
Indicator-H-3
The Tobago Vulnerability Index TVI is operational by 2027.
Target-H-4
Establish a Universal Employment Insurance, UEI by 2035.
Indicator-H-4
A Universal Employment Insurance program is operational by 2035.
Target-H-5
Establish Universal Health Insurance, UHI, by 2030.
Indicator-H-5
A Universal Health Insurance Program is operational by 2030.
Target-H-6
Establish at least 4 months of paid maternity and paternity leave by 2030.
Indicator-H-6
Each eligible mother and father receives maternity and paternity leave equivalent to 4 months by 2030.
Target-H-7
Establish Universal Child Benefit, UCB, for all children born in Tobago up to age five by 2030.
Indicator-H-7
Each eligible child receives a Universal Child Benefit by 2030.
Target-H-8
Establish an experimental Basic Income, BI pilot program for at least 100 families by 2030.
Indicator-H-8
An experimental Basic Income is operationalized as a pilot program by 2030.
Target-H-9
Establish and implement a Living Wage Threshold, LWD (indexed to the Cost of Living, COL) by 2030.
Indicator-H-9
The Living Wage threshold is operationalized by 2030.
Target-H-10
By 2027, ensure 100% of youth between the ages of 15 and 29, Not in Employment and Training, NEET, receive timely and appropriate social intervention and support.
Indicator-H-10
Number of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 not in Employment and Training, receiving social intervention and support year-over-year.
Target-H-11
Invest an appropriate % equivalent of GDP in social protection by 2035.
Indicator-H-11
Percentage of GDP equivalent invested in social protection year-over-year.
