People’s Action Movement (PAM) Shadow Minister for Labour, Roy Fleming is of the firm view that civil servants in St. Kitts and Nevis are now in a vulnerable position in spite of certain constitutional provisions protecting their rights, as the Douglas-led administration has and continues to undermine these sacred values.
In an exclusive interview with Sun St. Kitts, Fleming said that although there are a number of institutions and organizations to protect the rights of civil servants, the government has undermined these sacred values noting that the Federation’s civil servants are now placed in a vulnerable position to the extent that many are faced with countless and numerous challenges.
“Institutions constitutionally responsible for protecting fundamental rights have been unable to ensure the protection of these rights for our members,” Fleming said. Fleming said that there continues to be the arbitrary abuse of authority in imposing conditions of service which are to be negotiated based on existing legally binding agreements.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Peoples Action Movement (PAM) Lindsay Grant passionately noted, “The Peoples Action Movement is extremely disturbed that for the past 14 years, Government’s respect for civil servants have deteriorated significantly to the extent whereby the employer, who is the government, seems not to be caring and understanding of the challenges and difficulties that workers are faced with.
The PAM leader stressed, “I am deeply saddened that within the last 14 years that the relationship has deteriorated often to an extent that the employer, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, lacks sensitivity to justice and fair treatment, which can be openly hostile, even displaying unwillingness to be civil.”
And describing the relationship as “confrontational” owing to the employer’s conduct, Grant argued that the government has “repeatedly, arrogantly and autocratically disregarded internationally fundamental principles and standards for worker’s rights”.
Fleming argued that in spite of the government’s claims of working class credentials and respect for the rule of law, the reality in his party’s view is that “the Douglas-led administration has been more disruptive of these fundamental principles than any of its predecessors”.
Fleming added, “The Peoples Action Movement remains deeply concerned about the future of our civil service because of the tendency of the employer, the government’s apparent determination to politicize the public service and to ignore the requirement that while a public servant should faithfully discharge the (legitimate) policies of the government, they must be professional and impartial in the performance of their duties, particularly in dealing with the public regardless of the party in office.”
The effect, Grant noted, is that workers rights, basic human rights…are severely undermined and often denied to civil servants. He pointed out that because of government’s lack of care and understanding for what civil servants and the ordinary citizens have been ex public servants.
“This is the challenge that we now face…we shall never be bystanders; notwithstanding difficulties created by those who now occupy offices through the struggles, sacrifice and success of working class action and achievement,” Grant asserted.
Stressing an urgent call for immediate action, Grant said, “We must take up this challenge. We must remain vigilant, focused and ready to show our dissent through electing a new government in the Peoples Action Movement as hope in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis spells PAM.”
He reiterated his party’s call for the workers to be rejuvenated as PAM seeks to enter the reigns of Government so as to move forward in unifying the various political parties.
“Whether they are PAM, Labour, UNEP, or even from the Rastafarian Party, we welcome them all as a PAM administration will ensure that the rights of all are protected regardless of one’s political affiliation,” Grant declared.
