Social Policy (Non-Metropolitan Territories) Convention, 1947 (No. 82) - British Virgin Islands

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British Virgin Islands

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Part III of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living and other social policy objectives. The Committee notes the information received in August 2018, including the data relative to the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, in the form of the Demographic Profile and the Country Data Sheet setting out economic and social indicators. It notes that, as of 2015, the overall employment rate was 96.90 per cent, an equal division between men and women among the employed population. In its reply to the Committee’s 2013 direct request, the Government informs of the adoption of the Labour Code (Minimum Basic Wage) Order in 2016, accompanied by the Minimum Basic Wage Schedule, which increased the minimum wage significantly, from US$2 per hour to $6 per hour. The Government further indicates that, following the introduction of a Youth Employment Register in 2012, the Ministry of Education developed two apprenticeship programmes, and a secondary level technical school was established in the same year which provides training in several technical vocational areas. The Committee notes that, beginning in 2013, new subjects have been introduced in the secondary school curriculum to provide students with an improved understanding of the growth and development of the British Virgin Islands. The Committee also notes the information provided on the Alternative Secondary Education Programme, run by the Ministry of Education, which is a “second chance” programme for persons who did not obtain their high school diploma, as well as on the Scholarship Programme for tertiary education. The Government indicates that, as the compulsory school leaving age stipulated in the Education Amendment Act of 2014, is 17, the Ministry of Education has taken measures to ensure, through the employment of truancy officers, that children of compulsory school age are in attendance during the specified school periods. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14(2)–(4)), protection of wages (Articles 15(1)–(6) and 16), and education and training (Article 19(2)–(3)).

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Part III of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living and other social policy objectives. The Committee notes the information received in August 2018, including the data relative to the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, in the form of the Demographic Profile and the Country Data Sheet setting out economic and social indicators. It notes that, as of 2015, the overall employment rate was 96.90 per cent, an equal division between men and women among the employed population. In its reply to the Committee’s 2013 direct request, the Government informs of the adoption of the Labour Code (Minimum Basic Wage) Order in 2016, accompanied by the Minimum Basic Wage Schedule, which increased the minimum wage significantly, from US$2 per hour to $6 per hour. The Government further indicates that, following the introduction of a Youth Employment Register in 2012, the Ministry of Education developed two apprenticeship programmes, and a secondary level technical school was established in the same year which provides training in several technical vocational areas. The Committee notes that, beginning in 2013, new subjects have been introduced in the secondary school curriculum to provide students with an improved understanding of the growth and development of the British Virgin Islands. The Committee also notes the information provided on the Alternative Secondary Education Programme, run by the Ministry of Education, which is a “second chance” programme for persons who did not obtain their high school diploma, as well as on the Scholarship Programme for tertiary education. The Government indicates that, as the compulsory school leaving age stipulated in the Education Amendment Act of 2014, is 17, the Ministry of Education has taken measures to ensure, through the employment of truancy officers, that children of compulsory school age are in attendance during the specified school periods.The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14(2)–(4)), protection of wages (Articles 15(1)–(6) and 16), and education and training (Article 19(2)–(3)).

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Part III of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living and other social policy objectives. The Committee notes the information received in August 2018, including the data relative to the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, in the form of the Demographic Profile and the Country Data Sheet setting out economic and social indicators. It notes that, as of 2015, the overall employment rate was 96.90 per cent, an equal division between men and women among the employed population. In its reply to the Committee’s 2013 direct request, the Government informs of the adoption of the Labour Code (Minimum Basic Wage) Order in 2016, accompanied by the Minimum Basic Wage Schedule, which increased the minimum wage significantly, from US$2 per hour to $6 per hour. The Government further indicates that, following the introduction of a Youth Employment Register in 2012, the Ministry of Education developed two apprenticeship programmes, and a secondary level technical school was established in the same year which provides training in several technical vocational areas. The Committee notes that, beginning in 2013, new subjects have been introduced in the secondary school curriculum to provide students with an improved understanding of the growth and development of the British Virgin Islands. The Committee also notes the information provided on the Alternative Secondary Education Programme, run by the Ministry of Education, which is a “second chance” programme for persons who did not obtain their high school diploma, as well as on the Scholarship Programme for tertiary education. The Government indicates that, as the compulsory school leaving age stipulated in the Education Amendment Act of 2014, is 17, the Ministry of Education has taken measures to ensure, through the employment of truancy officers, that children of compulsory school age are in attendance during the specified school periods. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14(2)–(4)), protection of wages (Articles 15(1)–(6) and 16), and education and training (Article 19(2)–(3)).

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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 report provided by the Government of the British Virgin Islands in September 2013 which includes information in reply to the 2012 direct request. The Government indicates that it is currently working on policies and procedures related to the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands. It adds that the minimum wage is currently being reviewed and that the Ministry of Education is also reviewing education and training procedures. The Government states that it hopes to have a more detailed report at the next reporting session. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide, in its next report, detailed information on the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. Please also provide information on the measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14(2)–(4) of the Convention), protection of wages (Articles 15(1)–(6), and 16), and education and training (Article 19(2)–(3)).

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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 information provided by the Government of the British Virgin Islands in August 2012, as in its previous report, indicating that labour inspectors, who have been active in inspecting the application of this Convention, have found no contraventions. It also notes that the report does not contain information on the issues raised in the 2011 direct request. The Committee once again asks the Government to provide in its next report detailed information on the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. Please also provide information on the measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14(2)–(4) of the Convention), protection of wages (Articles 15(1)–(6), and 16), and education and training (Article 19(2)–(3)).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]

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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 report provided by the Government of the British Virgin Islands indicating that labour inspectors, who have been active in inspecting the application of this Convention, have found no contraventions. It asks the Government to provide a report containing detailed information on the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. Please also provide information on the measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14(2)–(4) of the Convention), protection of wages (Article 15(1)–(6) and Article 16) and education and training (Article 19(2)–(3)).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2012.]

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information contained on the British Virgin Islands in the March 1999 White Paper on Partnership for progress and prosperity: Britain and the overseas territories made available by the Government of the United Kingdom. It hopes that the next report on the application of the Convention will contain further practical information dealing with the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. Please also provide information on the measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14(2)–(4) of the Convention), protection of wages (Article 15(1)–(6) and Article 16) and education and training (Article 19(2)–(3)).

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information contained on the British Virgin Islands in the March 1999 White Paper on Partnership for progress and prosperity: Britain and the overseas territories made available by the Government of the United Kingdom. It hopes that the next report on the application of the Convention will contain further practical information dealing with the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. Please also provide information on the measures relating to minimum wages (Article (2–4) of the Convention), protection of wages (Article 15(1–6) and Article 16) and education and training (Article 19(2) and (3)).

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information contained on the British Virgin Islands in the March 1999 White Paper on Partnership for progress and prosperity: Britain and the overseas territories made available by the Government of the United Kingdom. It hopes that the next report on the application of the Convention will contain further practical information dealing with the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. Please also provide information on the measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14, paragraphs 2–4, of the Convention), protection of wages (Article 15, paragraphs 1–6, and Article 16) and education and training (Article 19, paragraphs 2 and 3).

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The Committee notes the information contained on the British Virgin Islands in the March 1999 White Paper on Partnership for progress and prosperity: Britain and the overseas territories made available by the Government of the United Kingdom. It hopes that the next report on the application of the Convention will contain further practical information dealing with the economic and social development of the British Virgin Islands, including updated data illustrating that the improvement of standards of living has been regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development. Please also provide information on the measures relating to minimum wages (Article 14, paragraphs 2-4, of the Convention), protection of wages (Article 15, paragraphs 1-6, and Article 16) and education and training (Article 19, paragraphs 2 and 3).