The recent verbal attack on civil and public servants by a son of the Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has sent shockwaves throughout the country. What makes this incident even more alarming is that the individual responsible is not a member of the government, yet still felt emboldened to launch a vicious verbal assault on civil and public servants, who are dedicated to serving the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
However, the Public Service Union (PSU) responded swiftly. The swift response from the PSU shows its commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of its members.
By unequivocally condemning the attack and offering support to the civil servants, the union has demonstrated its dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and justice. By standing firmly with its members, the PSU has also sent a strong message that it will not tolerate any form of harassment or aggression towards its members.
This turn of events prompted Vice President of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Major St Clair Leacock, to address the situation.
At a recently held Public Meeting in Byera, he extended his party’s unwavering support to the hardworking civil and public servants in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Major Leacock underscored the vital role these individuals play in the nation building and outlined the challenges they face as they serve their country. He thanked them for their service and reassured them that the NDP appreciates and values their contributions to national development, and the party will engage them in constructive dialogue as we prepare for general elections.
Major Leacock Said: “We thank the Public Service Union for having the strength of character and conviction and say to Ralph and company, hands off of our civil servants. And in the New Democratic Party, we have said we will stand by the labour movement that gets up and protects the rights of our public servants.
We also draw to your attention that this is a labour party government and for the first time in our history that every Monday morning the Labour movement has to take the government to courts to protect the interests of workers in St Vincent and the Grenadines. We are saying to all the public servants, your job, your work is guaranteed when a New Democratic Party comes to government.
But we’re going further tonight. It’s time somebody gives some love, some real love to our civil servants. It’s time, we show them the appreciation: our nurses, our policemen, our teachers. But we have to begin to provide some of the same incentives in the Civil Service that you can find in other Public Service institutions.
If you work at VINLEC, your shoes free, your clothes free. What the hell wrong with civil servants? They should be able to buy their cars and get housing allowances too. If you’re in some other institutions and you do 10 years, you could buy car and get discount. We are saying that if you do 10 years, take off half of the duty at least and make the civil servants able to get their own transportation like anybody else.
We are saying, take a different approach to our civil servants. Give them security of tenure. Why do you work at a hospital for 20 and 30 years and there’s nothing for you at the end of the ‘rainy day’ when they have given ‘their soul case’, make sure that they are proper provisions for them. We will outline a list of incentives for them. That’s why Dr. Friday says, one of the things he would do when we are in government is to implement the Citizen by Investment Programme, so every year you work for12 months, you will get 13 months pay. That’s what we mean; a bonus every Christmas. You don’t have to wonder where your black cake is coming from, or where your ham is coming from, or your curtains are coming from, or your paint or your tiles are coming from because you will have in place a government that is looking out for you.
We are not just asking to go into government. We are saying that there must be a new dawn. There must be a transformation of St Vincent and the Grenadines. It must be a St Vincent and the Grenadines for all Vincentians, and ‘where horse reach, donkey must reach’. That’s what we are saying. We will not become a people enslaved by anyone who feels that we must genuflect to them to make progress in this land of ours; it must be a country of equal opportunity. And we are saying, Ralph, ‘you could jump high, you could jump low, you could blow’, you could say whatever the hell you want to say about Major. You can’t run your mouth on me because I turned you down to be Deputy Prime Minister in your political party. I did that.”
By offering a platform of support, the NDP aims to amplify the voices of these unsung heroes, advocating for their rights and interests during a time when their contributions are more vital than ever. This stance not only reflects the party’s commitment to the public servants but also its broader vision for the welfare and development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, emphasizing the importance of unity and solidarity in overcoming the nation’s challenges. Through this gesture, we reaffirm our role as a champion of the people, ready to engage in constructive dialogue and action to foster a better future for all Vincentians.
By engaging with stakeholders including: business leaders, farmers, fishermen, teachers, police, nurses, doctors, pubic and civil servants and community organizations, the NDP aims to foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding. The NDP is committed to working with all sectors in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, recognizing that the country’s development and prosperity depend on a collaborative and inclusive approach.