The CARICOM Agreement on Social Security was signed in Georgetown, Guyana on 1 March 1996 and came into effect on 1 April 1997. From this date persons can thus apply for benefits under the Agreement.

The Agreement is intended to protect CARICOM Nationals’ entitlement to benefits and provide equality of treatment when moving from one country to another.

The Agreement is seen as key in facilitating the free movement of labour within the CARICOM Single Market, but it applies to all persons who are moving to work or have worked in two or more countries that have implemented the Agreement.

The Agreement is in effect in the following CARICOM Member States:

• Antigua and Barbuda

• The Bahamas

• Barbados

• Belize

• Dominica

• Grenada

• Guyana

• Jamaica

• Montserrat

• St. Kitts and Nevis

• Saint Lucia

• St. Vincent and The Grenadines, and

• Trinidad and Tobago.

The Agreement is not in effect in Suriname and Haiti.

Note: This booklet contains information about the CARICOM Agreement on Social Security. It provides general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.