By: Shawn Seabrookes

Reporter - SKNVibes.com

Prime Minister  of St. Kitts & Nevis Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas

This promised increase will be a significant step as the ripple effect will directly affect the private sector, undoubtedly ensuring there are increases in salary as well- which effectively means an increase in salaries across the board.

Prime Minister Douglas noted that his Government intends to address the issue of the increase in the cost of living and meet it “head on”, in order to realize his Administration’ mandate to achieve a better standard of living.

(L-R) Erasmus Williams, Press Secretary for the Prime Minister, Prime Minister  of St. Kitts & Nevis Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas

He admitted that even though several basic commodities have been identified for price controlling, and measures have been taken to reduce duties, it was imperative that other avenues be revamped, such as the raising of salaries.

The Prime Minister noted that with the increases in goods and the ending of subsidies on many commodities, the realistic thing would be to raise salaries.

“Disposable income needs to be increased,” he stated.

In addition to revealing that his Government would increase salaries, the country’s leader indicated that they would also work assiduously to implement price control initiatives and ensure that the regulatory methods are enforced.

~~Adz:Left~~ The news of the increase in salaries comes in the wake of a number of concerns with regards to outrageous demands on consumers for some commodities and the ever present awareness of the rise in the cost of living.

A number of other issues were also addressed at the press conference. Among the issues were the pending bi-elections to select a new leader of the opposition, because of the untimely passing of the late Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Malcolm Guishard, the onward movement of the electoral reform process and the move toward accelerated development.