No increases for ministers, parliamentarians, says former
Former prime minister and current Leader of the Opposition St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, the Rt Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas, has pointed to the deterioration in healthcare, rising unemployment, increase in poverty and widespread corruption in the Team Unity Government as reasons why cabinet ministers and parliamentarians should not get an increase in salary and perks at this time.
Pointing out that no first-term administration has ever given themselves increases within five years Dr Douglas said the people, especially the youth are suffering.
He cited the failure of government to improve home-ownership, improve healthcare, provide educational and employment opportunities for young people and improve the overall quality of life for citizens and residents.
Pointing directly to the deteriorating state of the J N France General Hospital, Dr. Douglas cited a post made by which called for “the hospital to be closed until further notice.”
Conditions at the medical institution have deteriorated due to government neglect, lack of medication and supplies and large-scale resignation of trained nurses.
“Yet the two ministers of health are saying that they deserve to get a salary increase,” Dr Douglas said.
He pointed to scores of persons who received the EC$500 check in December under the Poverty Alleviation Programme and have not received for the ensuing months of January, February and March.
“Many of our intelligent students have had to drop out of attending or pursuing tertiary level education at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC_ because of the Team Unity Government’s stopping the Labour Government’s REACH Programme,” said Dr Douglas.
Under the REACH programme introduced by the Labour Government in 2013, students attending the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, the Nevis Sixth Form and the AVEC received financing for tuition, books, supplies and transportation.
Dr Douglas indicated that there are reports of ministers having increases in several allowances.
“The Team Unity Government should not give ministers and parliamentarians increases at the expense of those who are suffering unable to find jobs, dropping out of college and other opportunities. My heart aches for the young people of St Kitts and Nevis,” said Dr Douglas.