BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER of Finance, Commerce and International Trade Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris has indicated the possibility of government undergoing consultations with the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) and other private sector employers before introducing a gratuity in the Protection of Employment (POE) Act.
In his May 4 Labour Day address, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas announced an amendment to the Act, declaring that a gratuity would be implemented for employees who have worked for 10 or more years in the private sector. Within a week of his announcement, the CIC, which represents a significant number of goods and services providers in the private sector, issued an official statement outlining a number of “seriously adverse effects” the new amendment might have on businesses.
Recognising the “serious short and longer term negative implications” the new gratuity would bring, the Chamber requested that the Amendment be “carefully considered”.
Speaking to SKNVibes, Dr. Harris said that engaging the private sector in consultations would be necessary. He added that the idea is still being moulded into policy which would require the input by the relevant stakeholders.
“I would think that there would have to be discussions and consultation with the private sector in order to get the input from all interested parties in terms of the modality of the implementation of this legislation. We cannot be hurt if we undertake consultation. Of course, that would be the preferred course. But, it’s a question of where we are; we are still at the idea stage which is open to input for something that can be fashioned,” Harris noted.
The Minister of Finance indicated that as consultation takes place, one would have adequate time and the necessary mechanisms to “fashion policy”. He acknowledged that the government cannot do it alone because the “final legislation has to be a cooperative venture”.
Harris said at the moment he is not certain which ministry would deal with the details of the implementation of the gratuity or if a task force would have to be established.
“I think questions in relation to who will be financing it and the role of the public and private sector would first have to be answered,” Harris said.
The proposed amendment has already been presented in Parliament for its first reading and details regarding whether the gratuity would be retroactive would be finalised.
