The OECS Reciprocal Agreement was ratified in Grenada on 21st June, 1991.
Persons covered under the Agreement
Insured persons and their dependants who have worked in one or more of the following countries:
Benefits covered under the agreement
Initially, all benefits were covered. However, the CARICOM Reciprocal Agreement has superseded the OECS Regulations, so only the short-term benefits apply under the OECS Agreement.
Provisions Determining the Law to be Applied
The provisions are similar to those under the CARICOM Reciprocal Agreement.
Claims for Sickness and Maternity must be submitted at the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner to the institution where the claimant resides or where he/she was last subject. The claim will be processed using all relevant contribution periods, including, where necessary, relevant contributions from other participating states.
Benefits are paid by the competent state, in the territory or the participating state where the claimant resides. If however, the competent state, say Territory A, and the State of the place of residence, say, Territory B are different, cash benefits may be paid out directly by the state of residence i.e. Territory B, on behalf and at the expense of the competent institution in Territory A.
Case 1 (Based on Article 35)
Where a woman is entitled to a Maternity or Sickness Benefit from the competent institution (NIS in St. Vincent) but resides in Grenada, SVG NIS can sign an agreement with the NIS in Grenada to have the benefit paid to her and the SVG NIS would then refund this institution or she can be paid directly by SVG NIS.
Case 2 (Based on Article 37)
Where a woman was receiving a benefit from St. Vincent (Competent State) and moves to another State (St. Lucia) the benefit will continue from the Competent State or an agreement can be reached between the two, where the other State will continue the payment and be repaid by the Competent State.
It is to be assumed that the payments are calculated on the insurable earnings of the Competent State (St.Vincent) only. However, where both States’ contributions apply, e.g. in the case of Sickness Benefit, 8 contributions would be used from St. Vincent and 5 from St. Lucia.
Filing of Claims
Currency in which the benefit will be paid
Handling of disputes