The cost-of-living crisis in St Vincent and the Grenadines is having serious financial impact on Vincentians. The New Democratic Party (NDP) has been consistent in highlighting the issue, and, has promised that it will tackle cost-of-living crisis when it is elected to government. 

Vincentians are experiencing severe hardship. It is extremely difficult to pay higher prices whenever they shop. This is compounded with a number of other issues. For example, St Vincent and the Grenadines has the lowest wages in the Caribbean. Salaries for most people are insufficient to pay bills, send their children to school, pay their mortgages, pay for their cars and buy food. Our unemployment rate is the highest in the region and poverty has increased since the ULP has gained power which make it more difficult for persons to survive. As cost-of-living increases, our standard of living falls. Life has become more difficult for families,

The issue of food insecurity also contributes to the problem of the high cost-of-living. The Minister of Agriculture alluded to that problem of food insecurity earlier this year. It means that Vincentians have to import more, including agricultural produce that can be grown here. When we import, consumers have to pay more for those products. What is the Minister’s plan to deal with this problem? To send Vincentians to Venezuela to cultivate land?  It was reported that St Vincent and the Grenadines has signed an agreement with Venezuela where 25,000 acres of land have been made available for Vincentians. Is this for real? It is such a stupid idea. The problem in this country is not the lack of land. Lands are available to work.  The problem is the poor policies of the government which have forced farmers away from the land.

It would appear that the ULP government is taking the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines for granted. It is not implementing any meaningful measure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis in the country. At the ULP’s Convention on Sunday, one would have expected the leader of the ULP to address this critical issue. But, he did not. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said that the NDP’s proposal to reduce VAT would be too expensive, but he failed to offer any proposals as to what his government will do to address the cost-of-living crisis. Yet, he is asking Vincentians to vote his party for another term. 

The NDP has taken the issue of the cost-of-living crisis seriously. As a result, we have established a cost-of-living tracker. Recently, we provided an update to the cost-of-living tracker. It shows the price of a basket of goods has increased significantly over the last year. 

Speaking about the cost-of-living tracker, Parliamentary Representative for East Kingstown, Dwight ‘Fitz’ Bramble said, “I can’t see how any government can sit around and do nothing while we see double digit increases to the prices of everyday goods.  The ULP government needs to do something meaningful to make real change for ordinary people. The NDP has proposed a cut in VAT, targeted reduction in import duties and increases in support for ordinary people. This is real action that we will deliver for ordinary people. We are not looking good when it comes to cost-of-living. We are not looking good when it comes to real action. This is a government that is happy to play politics but is not interested in delivering for ordinary Vincentians.”

In a pre-recorded video, MP Bramble outlined the increases in costs of a range of everyday goods. He said, “Chicken wings have increased by 40%, sardines have increased by 50%, powdered milk has increased by 39% and cooking oil increased by 50% over the last year.”

We have also seen an increase in the fuel surcharge to this month’s VINLEC bill when compared to last month’s. This month the fuel surcharge is $0.6108 when compared to last month’s $0.5201. We have been hearing the announcements on radio recently of the areas where VINLEC will be doing disconnections. Something unheard of in the past. It is obvious that as a result of any increase to VINLEC bills, one can expect that the business operators will pass it on to the consumers.

The Way Forward

At the heart of tackling this crisis, is the need to create more and better paying jobs for everyone in this country. It is only by increasing wages we can help people across the country enjoy a better standard of living, and insulate them from the worst of this cost-of-living crisis. We need resolved and focused leadership to tackle this challenge, something that is lacking in the ULP government. The NDP has a committed team with an honest leader who has a vision and plan to improve the standard of living in this country. Vincentians deserve better. We have been suffering for too long.

Our people need support now. We have outlined a plan that will provide support to Vincentians to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis. The NDP’s plan include: 

* Reduce VAT from 16% down to 13%;

* Reduce the Customs Service charge, ‘The Big Tax on Everything’; 

* Increase support for lower income families;

* Reduce the impact of the fuel surcharge on VINLEC bills;

* Review the list of VAT items with a view to increasing the number of zero-rated items.

The government has not done enough to address this crisis. We call on the government to implement meaningful measures to reduce the cost of goods to the benefit of Vincentians. The time for action is now. The NDP will address this issue. We have always prioritised the national interest ahead of any political or public relations considerations. This government is definitely out of touch with the needs of the people.