Thursday, July 25, 2024, St Kitts and Nevis marked a historic milestone as Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew initiated paying pension to hundreds of retired Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs), siding with the commitment.
This action in one stroke, righted the wrongs, as committed by this government against its workers under the previous administration, which had denied workers of their pensions. The event was commemorated with a ceremony in front of Government Headquarters, which was attended by members of the Federal Cabinet, senior officials, representatives from the Pension Reform Task Force, and retired GAEs.
Prime Minister Dr Drew emphasized that it is important to honor the commitment of GAEs who have loyally served the nation as traffic wardens, environmental workers, messengers, drivers, custodians, and technicians.
“Our GAEs are the backbone of our public services. For too long, they have served without the guarantee of a pension, a basic right that was unjustly taken from them,” said Dr Drew.
He said that the 2021 amendment to the formula for gratuity, whereby the GAEs’ gratuity was slashed by two-third, was a big dent to their dignity and recognition. “Today, we correct this anomaly. In the process, we restore the dignity of our GAEs and honor their hard work and dedication to our nation,” Dr Drew stated.
He further added that the Government Auxiliary Employees’ Commission was set up so as to expand the pension coverage system for these workers and thereby secure them a future.
Cabinet ministers, inclusive of Dr Drew, Senior Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, Ministers Konris Maynard, and Marsha Henderson, presented symbolic cheques to retired GAEs. Pension payouts are retroactive to January 2024, and GAEs can now look forward to monthly pension payouts for the rest of their lives.
One of the overjoyed beneficiaries is Alice Govia, a retired early childhood teacher, who called on young people to work hard and enjoy benefits of the Early Childhood Centre, at her age. Similarly, Vingrove Vaughn, a retired carpenter with 24 years’ service at the Public Works Department, was full of gratitude and proud to have received his pension.
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew reiterated the will of his government to correct matters from the past and develop an equitable society in which the contribution of each citizen could be respected. This historic move underlines the commitment of the government toward its citizens’ welfare and the recognition of invaluable service being given by them.
