Grenada social protection diagnostic prepares country for expansion of coverage to informal workers and economic units

Officials in Grenada continue to advance towards the extension of social protection coverage to the informal economy through a landmark study in collaboration with the ILO Caribbean Office. 

The National Insurance Scheme of Grenada (NIS) has embarked on the initiative with the overall objective of contributing to closing gaps in the country’s social protection through policy recommendations for transitioning vulnerable workers and economic units to the formal economy. 

The assessment is designed to understand challenges and provide guidance on how to overcome barriers that limit informal economy participation in social insurance.  It is supported by the Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund Programme “Resilient Caribbean". 

Through the Programme, the ILO is providing technical guidance on the delivery of the updated version of Grenada's self-employed scheme. which was revamped in 2023. The support focuses on the implementation of unemployment insurance with the bigger ambition of extending the coverage of social security to informal workers and informal economic units.  

During the mission, the NIS and the ILO conducted a series of in-person focus groups with self-employed persons from 21 to 24 January 2024. Sessions featured a total of eight focus group discussions across the six parishes including Carriacou and Petite Martinque representing various sectors that are primarily informal including farmers, hairdressers, barbers and paralegals. 

The NIS was also able to sensitize stakeholders to the advantages of the social security scheme. Several self-employed persons agreed to contribute to the system as a long-term social benefit for their families and businesses.

“The ILO is pleased with the progress made through our collaboration with the NIS to achieve a more inclusive social protection framework that will benefit the people and businesses of Grenada. Our joint efforts will establish direct and sustainable pathways to the formal sector and by extension to the social security system,” explained Kyana Bowen, National Project Coordinator, who represented the ILO during the mission. 

Following completion of the focus groups, the diagnostic study process will continue with an analysis of the discussions, along with costing estimates to match the recommendations to extend social security coverage for informal workers and economic units in Grenada.