BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DECEMBER 15 TH 2005 The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government's successful programme of social development has helped to prepare the twin-island Federation to cater to the needs of the persons affected by the demise of the sugar industry.
In delivering the 2006 Budget Address at a session of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said the Federation's Social Security Scheme has grown by leaps and bounds, and has progressively increased its minimum pensions and its assistance pensions to improve the lot of the less privileged and elderly persons.
"Over the ten years my Government has been in office, assistance pensions jumped from EC$1040 per annum to EC$2640 per annum and minimum pensions increased by EC$1440 from EC$2160 per annum to EC$3600 per annum. We have also empowered Social Security to take over the pension obligations of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC) as a means of protecting the welfare of retired sugar workers who were enjoying pensions paid by the SSMC at the time of its closure," Dr. Douglas told Parliamentarians and the Nation.
Government has provided affordable homes to over 1500 families in the Federation, including the families of hundreds of sugar workers, has revolutionised the health system and has provided easy access to medical and health care for all of the people, including the poor, the elderly, the mentally and physically challenged, and persons with chronic ailments.
"It is through this impressive health system that our sugar workers continue to enjoy, free of charge, the high quality medical care that was previously provided by the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation," said the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
Dr. Douglas noted that the Ministry of Education provides free education to all children, pay examination fees, provide free meals and free books to children of poor families, including the children of hundreds of sugar workers.
"Our Ministry of Social Development has implemented a wide range of programmes that have brought great relief to the poor and underprivileged among us. These programmes include the provision of school uniforms for children of low-income families, the caring of the aged, the protection of children, and the promotion of gender equity," said Dr. Douglas, who added that the success of these social programmes is beyond doubt and is verified by the ability of the Federation to consistently occupy a leading position among the top performers of the world as measured by the United Nations Human Development Index.
"It is clear, therefore that although my Government has unveiled and implemented an impressive package of assistance tailored specifically to the needs of our displaced sugar workers, the extensive social infrastructure that we have put in place for the benefit of all of our residents and citizens, has helped to cushion the social impact of the closure of the sugar industry," said Prime Minister Douglas.
He said that the growth of the economy over the years has helped to give the sugar workers a number of employment and entrepreneurial options to choose from as they seek to build a better life for themselves and their families.
Dr. Douglas said his Government fully appreciates that there are still many sugar workers that need help and his Administration will continue to reach out to them and provide support and counselling where necessary.
"I have instructed the SSMC Transition Management Office to keep track of every single displaced sugar worker and to report on their progress on an ongoing basis so that appropriate and timely assistance could be provided to them as required," he disclosed.
He admitted that while the transition from sugar and the transformation of the St. Kitts and Nevis economy cannot be completed overnight, there are still many challenges which will have to be confronted, "but we believe that we are on the right path and heading in the right direction."
"Hence, as a people, we must therefore continue our efforts to build up the momentum and move our country steadfastly along the road to increased prosperity and a better quality of life for all," said Dr. Douglas, who also cautioned that the environment in which the programme of economic transition and transformation is pursued is not the most favourable one as oil prices have been at an all time high for much of this year.
He said the oil price hike has resulted in the a rise in the cost of gasoline and electricity in the Federation and around the entire globe, and threatens to stifle global economic activity and push up the rate of inflation.
