Basseterre, St. Kitts — A launching ceremony by the governing St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration that will improve the quality of life of workers in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will be held on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Labour has organised an event to mark the launching of the New National Minimum Wage and the Long Service Gratuity Scheme on the Ebenezer Edmeade Street at the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Estate.
The Cayon High School Steel Pan Orchestra will render selections prior to the official start of the ceremony by Shakira Pitt, who sings the National Anthem followed by the Invocation by Claude Huggins.
Welcome Remarks will be said by Labour Commissioner Mr. L. Spencer Amory.
Remarks will be said by the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, Minister of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Labour, Justice, & Legal Affairs and the Hon. Marcella Liburd, Minister of Health, Social and Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas will deliver the feature address.
This will be followed by the distribution of symbolic cheques and letters to which one of the recipients will respond.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security and Labour, Mr. Elvis Newton will give the Vote of Thanks.
The National Minimum Wage will increase from EC$8.00 per hour to EC$9.00 per hour or EC$320 to EC$360 per 40-hour week with effect from November 1st 2014.
On July 29th July 2013, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in the National Assembly and without the support of the opposition, amended the Protection of Employment Act Cap. 18.27, legislating the Long Service Gratuity Act No. 12 of 2013, wherein persons who would have contributed ten (10) years or more of continuous service to the same workplace can opt to retire and receive a Gratuity.