THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FIJI SOCIAL PROTECTION COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Republic of Fiji Fiji Social Protection COVID-19 Response and System Development Project (P175206) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) 11th January 2021 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FIJI SOCIAL PROTECTION COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Fiji (hereinafter the Recipient) will implement the Fiji Social Protection COVID-19 Response and System Development Project (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Economy. The Ministry of Economy will coordinate with other government ministries, agencies and relevant stakeholders on all aspects of Project implementation, including coordinating with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, the National Employment Centre, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport and the Fiji National Provident Fund. 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 Ministries and agencies 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 Ministry of Economy 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 Ministry of Economy. The Ministry of Economy 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 FIJI SOCIAL PROTECTION COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring Six-monthly throughout Project Ministry of Economy reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of implementation. (MOE), in coordination the Project, including but not limited to, stakeholder engagement activities and with Ministry of Women, grievances log. Children and Poverty Alleviation (MWCPA), Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (MEPIR), National Employment Centre (NEC), Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT), Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Minor incidents will be reflected in the six- MOE, in coordination with Promptly notify the Association of any incident or accident related to the Project monthly reports to the Association, major MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, incidents will be reported to the Association MCTTT, FNPF the affected communities, the public or workers. Provide sufficient detail within 24 hours. regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any A report would be provided to the Association, contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, as per the as requested. Association’s request, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. These activities are outlined in the Project’s Grievance Mechanism. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Ministry of Economy shall engage a Project The International Environment and Social MOE, in coordination with manager supported by qualified staff and resources to support management of Specialist will be appointed no later than 60 MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, ESHS risks and impacts of the Project including an international Environment, days after the effective date of the financing MCTTT, FNPF and Social Specialist (part time). One or more Environmental and Social Officer(s) agreement for the Project (Effective Date). will also be designated to the Project (part time) from the Fijian Government Climate Change Division. The National Environmental and Social Officer will be appointed from the Climate Change Division to the Project no later than 30 days after the Effective Date. 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR FIJI SOCIAL PROTECTION COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS AND a. Environmental and social risks will be MOE, in coordination with INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS screened prior to the commencement of MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, a. Screen the environmental and social risks and impacts of proposed Project Component 2 activities. MCTTT, FNPF activities in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs) and b. Incorporate the relevant aspects of ESF and other relevant Fijian legislation and good international industry practice (GIIP). Fiji legal and GIIP requirements into the (i) Technical Assistance (TA) activities that may have downstream impacts Project Operations Manual (POM), within 3 included in Section 1.3 EXCLUSIONS may not be financed by the Project. months after the Effective Date. Incorporate b. Review and incorporate the relevant aspects of ESF and Fiji legal and GIIP the relevant aspects of ESF and Fiji legal and requirements into the (i) Project Operations Manual, (ii) Cash Transfer GIIP requirements into the (ii) Cash Transfer Operations Manual and (iii) Cash Transfer Agreement between MOE and Operations Manual, (iii) Cash Transfer FNPF. Agreement between MOE and FNPF prior to c. Ensure that TA (under Component 2) consultancy terms of reference (TOR) disbursement of cash transfers (component and outputs include ESF, ESHGs and relevant Fiji legal and GIIP requirements 1). including the management of any downstream risks and impacts, and submit such terms of reference and outputs for review by the Association. c. TA consultancy TOR and outputs to include d. Develop and implement a waste management plan to address waste WB ESF & ESHGs and relevant Fiji legal and management risks resulting from the procurement of hardware. GIIP requirements prior to the finalization of e. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, ESF and ESHGs and relevant Fiji all consultancy TOR and outputs, legislation and GIIP into the ESHS specifications of the procurement respectively. documents and contracts with contractors/consultants firms (under Component 2). Thereafter ensure that the contractors/consultants comply d. Waste management plan developed prior to with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. procurement of hardware equipment, and implemented throughout Project implementation. e. Before launching the procurement process for the relevant Project activities, and thereafter throughout the carrying out of such activities. 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR FIJI SOCIAL PROTECTION COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following types of activities* as they are ineligible for During the assessment process conducted MOE, in coordination with financing under the Project: under action 1.2.a. above. MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, a. Any activities that would be classified ’Substantial’ or ‘High’ risk; MCTTT, FNPF b. Activities that may cause long term, permanent and/or irreversible (e.g. loss of major natural habitat) adverse impacts; c. Activities that may cause impacts that are not mostly temporary, predictable and/or reversible; d. Activities that may cause moderate or serious adverse effects to human health and/or the environment; e. Activities that may have moderate or serious adverse social impacts and may give rise to social conflict, harm or human security risk; f. Activities that may affect lands or rights of vulnerable minorities; g. Activities that may involve resettlement or land acquisition/use restriction or adverse impacts on cultural heritage; and h. Activities that may have cumulative and/or transboundary impacts. *Include, but are not limited to, technical assistance activities financed under Component 2 which may result in downstream impacts or activities included in this list. • ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in accordance with the Labor Management Procedures shall be MOE, in coordination with applicable requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Association, prepared, disclosed and adopted no later than MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, including through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and 60 days after the Effective Date and before the MCTTT, FNPF safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures), carrying out of the relevant Project activities. setting out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and All measures specified in this action 2.1 shall be contracts with contractors and supervising firms. The Recipient shall adopt and implemented throughout the Project implement Labor Management Procedures (LMP) incorporating the relevant implementation period. requirements of ESS2. 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR FIJI SOCIAL PROTECTION COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 2.2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES The COVID Safety Protocol shall be prepared MOE, in coordination with Prepare and adopt a COVID safety protocol in line with Fiji’s national and adopted no later than 60 days after the MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, requirements as well as WHO and other GIIP recommendations. Effective Date and before the carrying out of MCTTT, FNPF the relevant Project activities. All measures specified in this action 2.2 shall be implemented throughout the Project implementation period. 2.4 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Review and adopt, monitor, document and MOE, in coordination with Review and adopt, monitor and document the existing grievance redress update the Grievance Redress Mechanism MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, mechanism for Project workers, consistent with ESS2, with focal points to throughout Project Implementation. MCTTT, FNPF address these grievances established within the relevant ministry. 2.5 CHILD LABOR AND MINIMUM AGE All measures specified in this action 2.5 shall be MOE, in coordination with Prohibit child labor (any person under the age of 18) due to the hazardous work implemented throughout the Project MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, situation. implementation period. MCTTT, FNPF ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under actions 1.2 and 2.2 above. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT Not relevant. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES Not relevant. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR FIJI SOCIAL PROTECTION COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Update, disclose, adopt, and implement the Update, disclose, and adopt the preliminary SEP MOE, in coordination with preliminary Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10, in a no later than 60 days after the Effective Date, MWCPA, MEPIR, NEC, manner acceptable to the Association. and implement the SEP throughout the Project MCTTT, FNPF implementation period. MOE will allocate sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of the SEP throughout the Project implementation period. 10.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements shall be made All measures specified in this action 10.2 shall MOE, in coordination with publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances be implemented throughout the Project FNPF in relation to the Project, consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the implementation period. Association. The Project will utilize the existing FNPF grievance redress mechanism and the PMU will review, document and monitor the grievance GRM will be available at all times during project mechanism throughout the project implementation period. implementation CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) CS1 The Ministry of Economy and other relevant implementing support staff Within 60 days of the Effective Date and as new MOE responsible for the Project to receive training on the Project’s ESF instruments, Project team members join the Project and provisions to prevent SEA/SH, the relevant requirements of the ESCP and throughout implementation. SEP, and the roles and responsibilities of different key agencies in the ESF implementation. CS2 Contractors and consultants to receive training on the relevant aspects of the Prior to work commencing and throughout the MOE Project ESF instruments and requirements. Project implementation period. 7|Page