LAWS IN SVG​

   

SVG has a number of domestic laws that promote equality and protect against discrimination. 

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• The Constitution

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The Constitution is the supreme law of SVG. Amongst other things, it protects the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals in SVG.

 

It provides explicitly for:

 

A. Protection of right to life.

B. Protection of right to personal liberty.

C. Protection from slavery and forced labor.

D. Protection from inhumane treatment.

E. Protection from deprivation of property.

F. Protection from arbitrary search or entry.

G. Provisions to secure protection of law.

H. Protection of freedom of conscience.

I. Protection of freedom of expression.

J. Protection of freedom of assembly and association; and

K. Protection of freedom of movement.

 

Moreover, section 13 of the Constitution of SVG provides explicit protection from discrimination on a few expressed grounds such as sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, color or creed.

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• Criminal Code

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Various forms of illegal and discriminatory acts may be covered under some of the provisions in SVG's Criminal Code.

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• Protection of Employment Act

 

SVG's Protection of Employment Act does not offer explicit protection from discrimination to prospective employees, only persons who are already employed. Section 16 of the Act explicitly prohibits an employer from terminating the services of an employee on these few expressed listed grounds: race, colour, sex, marital status, pregnancy, religion, political opinion, nationality, or social origin.

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• Equal Pay Act

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SVG's Equal Pay Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex regarding the payment of wages and/or salaries. It explicitly guarantees equal pay for equal work between persons of the male and female sex.

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• Status of Children Act/Legitimation Act

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SVG's Status of children and Legitimation Act abolishes the distinction between children born in and out of marriage. All children are to be treated equally, whether or not their parents were married at the time of their birth.

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• Administration of Estates Act

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SVG's Administration of Estates Act allows children born in and outside of wedlock to inherit property from deceased parents.

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• Married Women's Property Act

 

SVG's Married Women's Property Act provides for a married woman to be capable of acquiring, holding, and disposing by will or otherwise of any real or personal property as her separate property. In the past, these rights were only afforded to men.

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• Law of Minors Act

 

SVG's Law of Minors Act gives the mother and father of a child the same rights and authority in relation to the custody or upbringing of a minor, and in relation to the administration of any property belonging to or held in trust for a minor or the application of income of any such property.

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• Consumer Protection Act

 

SVG's Consumer Protection Act prohibits suppliers from discriminating against consumers. Suppliers shall not promote goods or services in such a manner that is degrading to the dignity of any person or implies or expresses a preference for any particular group of prospective consumers distinguishable from the general population on the basis of a prohibited ground of unfair discrimination set out in the Constitution.

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• Fair Competition Act

 

SVG's Fair Competition Act prohibits a person who is engaged in the business of producing or supplying goods to not directly or indirectly, to refuse to supply goods to or otherwise discriminate against any other person engaged in business or refuse to supply goods to or otherwise discriminate against any other person engaged in business because of the low pricing policy of that other person.

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• Domestic Violence Act

 

SVG's Domestic Violence Act, amongst other things, defines domestic violence as including harassment and stalking, thus protecting persons defined as being in a domestic relationship from these acts. 

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• Cybercrime Act

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SVG's Cybercrime Act, amongst other things, protects persons from harassment and cyberbullying online.