Overview

Grenada’s population is around 89,018 (July 2000 est.). The labour force is approximately 42,300 (1996 est.). The majority of Grenada’s workers are in the services sector (62%) followed by agriculture (24%) and industry (14%) (1999 est.). Grenada’s major industries are food and beverages, tourism and construction. Its main agricultural products are bananas, cocoa and nutmeg   (World Factbook 2000)

The National Insurance Service (NIS) provides compensation for workers injured on the job. Industrial accidents are reported to the Ministry of Labour. Officers at that Ministry also perform routine factory inspections. Of the 272 work associated injuries reported to the NIS during the period 1998-1999, most were from the construction industry. Many of the construction related accidents were due to a lack of protective gear and improper use of equipment.

A Workers’ Health Plan was developed for  Grenada in 1996 with PAHO’s assistance. Objectives under this plan were to develop OSH education programmes, to review and revise existing OSH legislation, to improve data collection, to have trained health professionals, to set up occupational health clinics and to ratify ILO Convention 155. This plan was reviewed in July 2000 at a national OSH workshop. Recommendations from this workshop for the revised plan include the need to incorporate the Workers Health Plan into the National Health Plan. Other recommendations were to establish the National OSH advisory committee and update legislation. There were also recommendations for the generation of an OSH database and the development of mechanisms for better record keeping.

Risks factors identified in Grenadian workplaces include physical overload, muscoskeletal stress, psychological stress and ergonomic risks. Pesticide hazards and respiratory illnesses have also been highlighted as areas of concern. In general, OSH awareness is low among workers and employers and there are no adequate policies and programmes in the workplace. Additionally, as the majority of occupational accidents are in the construction industry, this sector needs greater policing. Grenada also lacks comprehensive health and safety legislation.

Labour Statistics

Legal framework

There are some OSH provisions in the Factories Act 1958. There is also the Grenada Employment Act of 1999, the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance Chapter 317 and the Workmen’s Compensation (Amendment) Law (1982). Additionally, Grenada has a Labour Code, which came in force in 2000.

International OSH related conventions ratified by Grenada include:

Related Agencies and Links

Ministry of Labour, Legal Afairs and Local Government
Young Street
St. George's
Phone: (473) 440-3080; Fax: (473) 440-4923

Grenada Bureau of Standards

Grenada Acceptable Conditions: Human Rights Report