BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN his Labour Day Message to the nation, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party administration Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas said that the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Utilities are currently negotiating to bring some degree of relief with respect to the high electricity charges.
Dr. Douglas stressed that his administration cares for the nation and that is the reason why it has held the prices of certain commodities down as much as it could. He however stated that he knows things are challenging and some people are hurting.
“I know in particular the electricity charges, but I say to you that we have not forgotten. We are presently negotiating between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Utilities and we will do something very shortly that will bring some relieve to the people of this country with regards to electricity charges.”
The PM said his Cabinet had declared that the Labour Party would continue to fight, organise and reorganise to ensure that the nation would survive and be ready whenever the global changes take place.
“That is why I know that things must get better. Things are challenging now, not only here in St. Kitts and Nevis, not only in the region, but all over the world things are challenging. But here, because of our policies, every civil servant gets his money deposited in the banks here in St. Kitts and Nevis on time,” he expressed, while adding that in some countries around the Caribbean people yare still two months behind getting in getting their salaries.
Prior to his address at the Patsy Allers Playfield, which was the venue where the Labour Day March began and ended, Dr. Douglas and other government Ministers as well as other dignitaries laid wreaths at the graveside of Sir Robert L. Bradshaw, Sir C.A. Paul Southwell, Sir Joseph N. France, Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore, Clarence Fitzroy Bryant, E. St. John Payne and Fidel O’Flaherty; all stalwarts of the Labour Movement who had served the interest of the nation and the Caribbean.
He thanked all those who were present at the Wreath Laying Ceremony and, in particular, those who participated in the Labour Day March.
“Thank you for your massive support, in this year’s Labour Day March 2011,” he noted.
He said it was important for them to be remembered for their selfless service to the working class and also in their efforts to transform the Federation.
“As we went to the various grave sites, we remembered them as they have inspired us to march through the streets of Basseterre today. They have inspired us to remember, as they have taught us in that there will be good days and there will be bad days; there will be days of plenty and there will be days of want; there will be days of prosperity and there will be days of challenge; but never they have thought us never turn your back on the working class people and never turn you back on the Labour Movement which looks after the interests of all of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” he said.
Stressing on the importance of the day, Dr. Douglas said whether people are doctors, lawyers, politicians of the Labour Party or the opposite side, carpenters or artisans, solidarity needs to be shown with workers all over the world.
He asked the large gathering to applause the leader of the Trades and Labour Union, Clifford Thomas; the leadership of the Labour Party and all those who have served in the interest of the people in the Labour Party; Labour Ministers; and the Cabinet Ministers whom he said continue to serve and develop polices which would ensure that they would not roll over and die because of the global challenges they are facing.
Dr. Douglas ended his Labour Day Message by telling the people that the Labour Party cares and that they have a good government in Labour.
The day continued with a cookout and musical entertainment that led into the night.
