ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY INCOME SUPPORT PROJECT Republic of Maldives Ministry of Economic Development COVID-19 EMERGENCY INCOME SUPPORT PROJECT (P174014) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) Prepared on May 2020 & Revised on November 2021 1 | Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY INCOME SUPPORT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Maldives (hereinafter the Recipient) will implement the COVID-19 Emergency Income Support Project (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED). The International Development Association (hereinafter the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient will implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out material measures and actions, any specific documents or plans, as well as the timing for each of these. 3. The Recipient is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by the Ministry referenced in 1. above. 4. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Association by the Recipient as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement and the Association will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by the Association and the Recipient, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Recipient will agree to the changes with the Association and will update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP will be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Association and the Recipient will promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 6. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Recipient shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts. 2 | Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association regular Quarterly Ministry of Economic monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) Development performance of the Project, including but not limited to, stakeholder engagement activities and grievances log. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Ministry of Economic Development Project recruited one E&S Specialist Ministry of Economic (MED) shall establish and maintain a PMU with qualified staff and and one E&S Manager to implement Development resources to support management of E&S risks and impacts of the the E&S measures under the income Project, including: one Environmental and Social Specialist, two E&S grants program. Under the Managers and one E&S Officer. Among these 4 staff, focal persons will be nominated for: GRM, Communications, Gender and GBV/SEA/SH issues, restructuring one E&S Specialist will based on their background and expertise, and relevant ToRs shall be continue to support ESF work. issued to all focal persons accordingly. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS a. Before carrying out the relevant Ministry of Economic AND INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS Project activities, and thereafter Development a. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of proposed throughout the carrying out of Project activities, in accordance with the Environmental and Social such activities. Management Framework (ESMF) prepared and adopted for the Project, including to ensure that individuals or groups who, because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable, b. Before carrying out the relevant have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project. Project activities, and thereafter b. Adopt and implement any environmental and social mitigation throughout the carrying out of measures required for the respective Project activities based on the such activities. assessment process, in accordance with the ESSs, the ESMF, the EHSGs, and other relevant Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) c. Before launching the including the WHO guidelines on COVID-19 in a manner acceptable to procurement process for the the Association. relevant Project activities, and c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, any thereafter throughout the environmental and social mitigation measures, procedures, ESS2 carrying out of such activities. requirements, and any other required ESHS measures, into the 3 | Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS contracts for consultant firms and/or individuals d. Update the ESMF once the scope d. Follow the due diligence procedures mentioned in the ESMF for CERC of CERC activities is known activation, including updating the ESMF once the scope of CERC components is known. 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: The Ministry of Economic Development shall ensure During the assessment process Ministry of Economic compliance with the exclusion/selection criteria set out in the ESMF conducted under action 1.2.a. above. Development prepared under the Project. Activities that are in the exclusion list prepared for CERC activities in Annex 1 of the ESMF shall not be supported under the Project. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in accordance Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Economic with the applicable requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Development Association, including through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and safety measures, setting out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements into the service contracts for individuals and firms. 2.2 The Recipient shall adopt and implement Labor Management Procedures Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Economic (LMP) incorporating the relevant requirements of ESS2. Development 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES: Adopt, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Economic implement and update the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Development measures in line with LMP and WHO guidelines on COVID-19 in a manner acceptable to the Association. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 Not currently relevant N/A N/A ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 Prepare, adopt and implement measures to: minimize the potential for Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Economic community exposure to communicable diseases; ensure that individuals Development or groups who, because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable, have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project; and provisions to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment or to the increase in domestic violence or gender based violence, in a manner consistent with ESS1 and ESS10, and the ESMF. 4 | Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 Not currently relevant ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 Not currently relevant ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES 7.1 Not currently relevant ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 Not currently relevant ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 9.1 Not currently relevant ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT INFORMATION AND DISCLOSURE: Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Economic Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement a Stakeholder Engagement Plan Development (SEP) consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. 10.2 Consultations with representatives from: (i) potential project Prior to project effectiveness, and Ministry of Economic beneficiaries; (ii) vulnerable groups; (iii) island councils; and (iv) private thereafter, throughout project Development sector, especially employers and other representative bodies, shall be implementation carried out prior to project effectiveness following the proposed strategy for stakeholder engagement detailed in the SEP. Key Stakeholders involved in the Component 2. Strengthening social protection delivery systems and institutions • Strengthening NSPA’s Delivery and Targeting Systems: National Social Protection Agency • Developing a Fiscally Sustainable Unemployment Insurance Program MED 5 | Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS • Reforming Pension Programs Maldives Pension Administration Office • Developing a National Social Protection Framework. National Social Protection Agency Additionally, Ministry of Finance will be involved 10.3 Consultations relevant to the restructuring component: Prior to project effectiveness, and Ministry of Economic thereafter, throughout project Development Stakeholders involved in the employment based training program : (i) implementation Accountancy and Finance Programs (education institutions registered and eligible for the training program, Chartered Accountants of the Maldives) , (ii) Information Technology (National Center for Information Technology (NCIT) Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology), (iii) Diving and watersports (Diving and water sports facilities Ministry of Tourism & Employers in the tourism sector (tourist resorts, guesthouses, MSMEs), (iv) Apprenticeship Programs (Ministry of Youth and Sports, Private sector enterprises & State-Owned Enterprises). Ministry of Higher Education will also be consulted on a broader scope for all training activities. Representatives from: President’s office, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Finance, Island Councils & Local Governance Authority. Stakeholders involved in the self-employment support program: MSMEs focus groups, including NGOs and Self-employed representative associations & Business Center Corporation. 10.4 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements shall be GRM is in place and functioning well Ministry of Economic made publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and it will be maintained throughout Development and grievances in relation to the Project, consistent with ESS10, in a implementation of the project. manner acceptable to the Association. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) B The Recipient will deliver the following training programs: Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Economic 6 | Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS (a) Introduction to ESF, ESMF, SEP and LMP for relevant staff from Development National Social Protection Agency/Ministry of Economic Development and stakeholders involved in Project extension; Educational Institutions and SOEs. (b) Relevant staff on handling inquiries, complaints and grievances related to the project. (c) For island council staff and social workers on promoting awareness and detection of cases of gender-based violence. (d) Occupational Health and Safety training for project workers, including social workers. 7 | Page