The purpose of the study was to identify an appropriate programme of social protection measures, which could contribute to St. Kitts and Nevis’ post-sugar Adaptation Strategy, to strengthen poverty and vulnerability reduction, within the Caribbean regional social protection framework. The final report presented the main findings from a review of approaches to targeting of social protection covering displaced sugar workers and the poorest in St. Kitts and Nevis carried out during November and December of 2005.
In response to the European Union proposal for a new Agricultural Policy and Reform Plan consistent with World Trade Organisation requirements, involving a significant reduction in sugar prices, the Government of St Kitss and Nevis (GoSKN) took the decision in July 2005 to exit from the Sugar Protocol arrangements, and to implement ‘plans to transition the SSMC (St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation) away from the production and export of sugar’. The closure of the sugar industry in St. Kitts and Nevis has had wide ranging economic, environmental, and social implications for the country. The social effects of the closure of the industry has been felt more directly by the displaced sugar workers and their dependants, but has also extended to their communities and society at large.
The anticipated social impact from the closure of the sugar industry has served to draw attention to the need to ensure that strong and effective safety nets are in place.
IDS was commissioned by the Department of International Development Caribbean as part of a range of technical and feasibility studies requested by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to inform decision making and preparation for a National Adaptation Strategy.
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