Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 15, 2021 (SKNIS): As part of the government’s ongoing efforts to protect the health of citizens and residents and resuscitate the tourism-based economy, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, continues to advise the general public to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.
Prime Minister Harris made another pitch to the general public to get vaccinated during the virtual forum series ‘Leadership Matters’ on April 13.
“Our economy is driven, in a significant part, by tourism. Last year, we saw the serious impact that arises from having no tourists—our hotels closed, persons lost their jobs, our Severance Fund has unprecedented claims and the Federal Government has to supplement the Fund,” he said.“As part of our plan to protect your jobs and to protect our economy, we must ensure that our country is as ready as we can to welcome tourists.”
He added: “The more people who are vaccinated, the safer persons feel about travelling, studying, and investing in our country. It was our safety which brought MSR Productions here and with it, we will benefit from six movies. It is our safety that brought back 650 Ross University students.”
He said that it was imperative that adults 18 years and older get vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity so that the Federation’s economy can fully open up.
“It means more jobs can be created and more opportunities will arise, especially for our young people,” said Prime Minister Harris.
He said that nothing can be more concerning than having no jobs and putting oneself at risk for contracting COVID-19, saying that some persons are “playing political games, putting their own needs ahead of your health.”
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 06, 2021) – – Six nationals and residents have been tipped by MSR Media producer Mr. Philippe Martinez and his team for speaking roles in upcoming movies to be filmed on Nevis.
Mr. Martinez recently visited the MSR Media Acting Academy, which was launched in Nevis late February, and said he was impressed with how well the aspiring actors are progressing.
“We had each of the students perform a short scene and frankly, considering the Academy only opened two weeks ago…the surprise was we saw natural [talent] and people with real personalities, and none of them were bad.
“Some are at different levels, and have different strengths, but you can see what you can do with it.
“I can tell you for sure that with a lot of work and training we’re going to take six speaking parts from those guys. We walked away knowing we would get six speaking parts out of those auditions, which is fantastic,” he said in an interview with the Department of Information while at the Indian Summer Restaurant.
The group of about 20 locals and residents garnered critical feedback during the recent interactive session with Mr. Martinez, actor Mr. Jeff Fahey, and Mr. Tom Peyton, who will direct ‘Assailant’, MSR’s next film on the island.
The film professionals advised the acting students to be true to themselves and that their differences are their best asset.
“The reason we chose them is because we thought they had something different,” Mr. Martinez noted.
Trained actor Winston Crooke of Nevis manages the Acting Academy and trains the aspiring actors during classes held regularly at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC).
He congratulated those selected to make their acting debut in upcoming movies.
“We’ve got a grand opportunity put in our laps with the creation of a film industry on Nevis.
“The Acting Academy is a great leap forward for the art form. We are taking some very raw talent and working with them and they have responded well, so much kudos to the actors who have applied themselves.
“Congrats to all those getting the opportunity to strut their stuff for the first time on camera. This is absolutely huge,” he said.
Mr. Crooke commended MSR Media for its role in the development of a film industry in Nevis and allowing locals to benefit through the Acting Academy.
“We are creating a bed of talent on the acting side and so when people want to make movies here there is already a pool of talent to pick from,” he said.
He is hopeful that the Academy can be expanded in the future to include technical training for those who wish to be behind the camera.
MSR Media recently wrapped filming the romantic comedy “One Year Off” on the island and is preparing to begin shooting its second movie, the thriller “Assailant” mid-April.
MSR Media intends to film six movies on Nevis over the next 12 months, after initially signing a two-film production deal with the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) in January 2021.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 06, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The Bank of Nevis Limited has now commenced operations on the island of St. Kitts, following the official opening of its new branch on Fort Street, Basseterre today, Tuesday, April 06.
The opening of the St. Kitts branch comes after the Bank of Nevis’ successful acquisition of the assets and liabilities of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) St. Kitts, effective April 01, 2021.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris was among the specially invited guests in attendance at Tuesday’s opening ceremony at the branch office (formerly Royal Bank) located at the bottom of Fort Street, Basseterre.
While delivering remarks to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Harris said through this move, the Bank of Nevis has demonstrated its confidence in the local economy and its willingness to invest in it.
“As we open these doors, we know that the Bank of Nevis does much, much more than providing banking services to the local community. You create real jobs and opportunities, especially for our young people. You help to develop business and industries so even more jobs can be created. You help with improving our housing stocks, giving more families the best start in life with their own homes. You help mobilise savings, both local and foreign. You have much work to do and today you have a new home here in St Kitts in which to do it,” Prime Minister Harris said.
The prime minister further noted that the Bank of Nevis now plays an even greater role in building the local economy and promoting the prestige of the nation’s banking sector to the international community.
He added, “Your work in mobilising foreign savings, foreign exchange purchases and sales and providing banking services to our diaspora are all a demonstration to the global community of how professional, trusted and reliable the banking sector is here in St. Kitts and Nevis. You are a very much welcomed addition to the St. Kitts community, and it is wonderful that you have set up a permanent presence here.”
The sale of its assets and liabilities last week marked the end of the Royal Bank of Canada’s presence in St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).
RBC’s Eastern Caribbean banking operations were sold to a consortium of regional banks, comprising 1st National Bank of St Lucia, Antigua Commercial Bank, Bank of Dominica, Bank of Montserrat, and the Bank of Nevis.
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NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 25, 2021) – – Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis continues to go without a salary, one year after foregoing his monthly pay in a show of solidarity with Nevisians who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Premier, who holds the Finance portfolio in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), gave up 100 percent of his salary, including allowances, in March 2020, with the onset of the pandemic in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
He spoke on the issue at his monthly press conference on March 24, 2021.
“In relation to me and salary, it’s now been over a year I have not collected a salary.
“I’ve still not collected a salary because I said that I believe that as Premier of Nevis I have to continue to show some solidarity with our people.
“I recognize that our people are still struggling and while this is a symbolic gesture I think it’s an important symbolic gesture, so my salary is still in abeyance,” he said.
Mr. Brantley made it clear that he has no intention of collecting any lump sum of back pay in the future.
He also indicated he was not in a position to say when he would resume getting paid as the island and wider Federation continues to struggle financially from the economic fallout caused by the pandemic.
“By abeyance I don’t mean I’m stockpiling it to collect it all at once- it’s gone. I’m not collecting it. I did say I would not collect it until we could say that this pandemic was behind us. So I’m hopeful that we can say that soon, but until then, the position remains the same.
“It’s certainly something to which I am entitled but something which I decided to forego at this time, over this period, because I think there’s real difficulty in the community.
“As Premier and Minister of Finance I can tell you there’s real difficulty in terms of government finances, and so I think that leadership must lead and that is what I am seeking to do,” he stated.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 24, 2021 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): The Government of Canada is in the process of reviewing its COVID-19 quarantine protocols regarding Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) who arrive in Canada.
At or about the start of 2021, the Government of Canada has worked to develop a tailored solution to accommodate the anticipated volume of TFWs arriving in Canada this Spring. Part of this solution included a deferral for certain TFWs – including workers in Agriculture, Agri-food, and Fish and Seafood sectors with new requirements to stay in a Government Authorized Accommodation (GAA) upon arrival.
As of Sunday, 21st March 2021, based on their final destination, Asymptomatic TFWs who arrive in Canada by private transportation and are accompanied only by others who travelled with them to Canada, will be able to travel directly to their places of quarantine after receiving a COVID-19 test at the airport. TFWs who will need to travel by public means to a secondary location upon arrival in Canada will be required to stay in a GAA and await the results of their COVID-19 test. Provided that TFWs have a suitable quarantine plan, the Government intends to ensure that employers and TFWs will not assume incremental costs associated with the three-day quarantine requirement at the point of entry. Workers will also be provided with supports on arrival and during their hotel stay.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of timely arrival of workers for sectors like Agriculture, Agri-food, and Fish and Seafood Processing, hence why it continues to explore how best to support TFWs and employers to ensure that TFWs can arrive and remain in Canada safely for the duration of their work.
For further details, interested persons can visit the Government of Canada website at www.gov.ca.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, March 23, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – With an unprecedented number of claims being made against the Severance Payment Fund in the last year alone, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is taking active steps to make the processing of these claims more efficient.
Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, while speaking at his monthly press conference on March 23, 2021, said the concerns of many regarding delays in the processing of their severance claims have been discussed at length by his Government at recent Cabinet meetings.
The reasons advanced by the Labour Commissioner for the delays include the unprecedented number of persons, some 2,839 persons, who have submitted severance claims as a result of COVID-19. Moreover, the unprecedented volume of records to be processed, the failure of employers to paying their contributions to the Severance Fund and discrepancy in data were identified as the other reasons for the delays.
“At yesterday’s meeting of the Cabinet, it was decided to expedite processing of claims by recruiting additional workers on a temporary basis. An additional work shift will also be implemented, and further support will be made available to the Labour Department. We have determined that notwithstanding the practice of not giving support to claims for which no payment had been made into the fund, the Government out of compassion would honour all claims even where the employer has not paid over his/her contribution to the Severance Fund,” Prime Minister Harris said.
According to the prime minister, there are millions of dollars outstanding as a result of unpaid contributions to the Severance Fund by employers. He said, “The Social Security Board will however commence legal action against delinquent employers. I want to encourage those delinquent employers to make payment plans with Social Security and save themselves the embarrassment and expense of a court trial.”
Dr. Harris added that his Government will also “provide an advance payment to persons whose claims have not yet been processed to allow them to meet their most urgent needs.”
The latest figures show that the Federal Government has paid out $23.8 million in severance payments to date.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 4th, 2021 (ZIZ News) Minister of Social Security Hon. Eugene Hamilton has commended self-employed persons who continue to make contributions to the fund to ensure a safe financial future.
Minister Hamilton was at the time addressing the nation on the 43rd anniversary of the St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board on February 1.
“I commend also those self-employed persons who remained vigilant and diligent throughout the years, and who can now boast of a pension earned solely from self-employed contributions. The example of your deserving qualification for pensions should serve as an inspiration and motivation for others to do likewise, and to put themselves in a position to proudly extend their hands for their own just rewards.”
Minister Hamilton also used the opportunity to encourage self-employed persons to register and remain up to date with payments.
“On July 1st, 1996, Social Security extended its coverage to the self-employed: a sector that continues to grow despite the economic downturn. I take this opportunity to commend you who are self-employed and implore you to not only register but to remain compliant at all times. Your failure to do so could result in hardships later on in life.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of Self-Employed Coverage.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 26, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris has reiterated his Government’s support for the fisheries sector, noting that the sector can play a lead role in St. Kitts and Nevis’ economic recovery post COVID-19.
Prime Minister Harris made those remarks when he addressed the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources’ National Fishers Consultation held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Thursday, February 25.
“COVID-19 has taught us a lesson and as we look to the future post COVID-19 we are looking to agriculture, crops, livestock and marine resource development to help make our future stronger and safer,” Prime Minister Harris stated.
Thursday’s consultation was held under the theme, “Together, We Invest, Transform and Build Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.”
The prime minister noted at the consultation that the past year has highlighted both the potential and resilience of the fisheries sector that can still be tapped into.
He said, “We want to look to this sector to see how we can create more jobs for our young people in particular and to explore new opportunities. In his own remarks, Marc [Williams, Director of Marine Resources] spoke about the importance of aquaculture. We have had some tentative goings in that particular arena, and yet aquaculture is going to be one of the fastest growing areas of marine development in the world and so we will have to find a way of enticing more people to come and to invest profitably in the area of aquaculture in the future.”
In this regard, Prime Minister Harris assured the fisherfolks in St. Kitts and Nevis that his Team Unity administration stands with them and will continue to provide the necessary financial and technical support.
“We have put aside $15.8 million in 2021 for the agricultural sector. Of that amount, $4 million have been put aside for marine development in St. Kitts, and we have also in that Budget put aside some $3 million to continue some of the stimulus investments which had taken place before,” Dr. Harris added.
Prime Minister Harris further indicated that his Government will also explore opportunities for public-private partnerships with local, regional, and international investors to utilise the country’s marine management method to increase food and commercial products, replenish stocks, and assist in the repopulation of species that may be under threat.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (February 22, 2021) – Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), says MSR Media shooting the film ‘One Year Off’ on Nevis is already spurring economic activity on the island.
Premier Brantley, speaking with the Department of Information on February 22, 2021, said, “I am thus far pleased at the employment and economic multiplier being experienced from my government’s decision to encourage the start of a film industry here on Nevis.
“Thus far some 30 Nevisians have been hired full time. An additional 11 have been hired as actors with speaking roles and 168 hired as supporting artistes,” he said.
He also pointed out the financial spinoff from having the cast and crew for the film staying on Nevis.
“We have also seen local caterers, villa and hotel rentals, taxi operators, car rentals fully engaged. Some 46 non-nationals are also now resident on the island to support the filming of these movies.
“This is an excellent start to our promised diversification of the island’s economy. Nevis continues to be a safe and secure environment for investment and we welcome other film producers to consider our COVID safe environment for their next film.”
MSR Media’s Philippe Martinez the film’s producer says the leading cast is already on island, locations around the island have been chosen, and filming is set to begin February 25.
MSR Media and the NIA recently signed off on a two-film production deal that will see the UK film company shooting two films on Nevis in 2021.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Since assuming office, the Team Unity Government has remained true to its mantra of putting people first. This is evidenced by record numbers in job creation, the delivery of hundreds of homes to deserving families and most recently, the stellar management of the COVID-19 situation in the Federation.
The three-party Team Unity coalition was given its first mandate of creating a stronger, safer future for all on February 16, 2015, when it defeated the Denzil Douglas-led regime in resounding fashion at the polls.
“We have accomplished a lot. Our country is more united than ever, and the relationship between Nevis and St. Kitts has never been better at the people to people and Government to Government levels. But there is so much more to do,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris during the Thursday, February 18 Sitting of the National Assembly, under the segment ‘Statement by Ministers’ on the Order Paper.
Prime Minister Harris added, “Today, we have safer streets so people can walk without fear. We have bigger and better homes to live in. Working together as a coalition and with the people of our Federation, we are delivering on our promise of working towards a safer, stronger future.”
Dr. Harris stressed that his Team Unity Government has and will continue to put people first by working for them and with them to deliver a brighter future.
“We have also been working with the people, and security personnel and seen major crime plummet to an all-time low. Thanks to our intelligence led policing and our Peace Initiative we have seen significant reduction in violent crimes in our Federation. In 2020, homicides fell to its lowest level since 2005. Our build out of our Explorers Club is helping our young people to say no to drugs, crime and social deviant behaviours early in their formative years,” the prime minister said.
The Team Unity administration has invested a significant amount of funds in infrastructure development, creating even more jobs and better homes for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Prime Minister Harris said, “Public and private investment projects mean that more people have had access to a safe, modern home where they can raise a family. For financial years 2019 and 2020 our capital budget stood at over $190 million, the highest on record. We expanded cruise tourism and brought more people to our shores, who spent more money, supporting our local businesses and helping to provide a better life for so many vendors. For two cruise seasons in a row, we recorded over one million cruise passengers and became designated as a Marquee Port.”
The prime minister reminded the nation that since 2015, St. Kitts and Nevis recorded six successful years marked by economic growth and surpluses on fiscal accounts until the COVID-19 pandemic reached the shores of the Federation.
“There is no question that by working with the people, for the people, this Team Unity Government is taking St. Kitts and Nevis in the right direction,” Prime Minister Harris said.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 4th, 2021 (ZIZ News) Minister of Social Security Hon. Eugene Hamilton has commended self-employed persons who continue to make contributions to the fund to ensure a safe financial future.
Minister Hamilton was at the time addressing the nation on the 43rd anniversary of the St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board on February 1.
“I commend also those self-employed persons who remained vigilant and diligent throughout the years, and who can now boast of a pension earned solely from self-employed contributions. The example of your deserving qualification for pensions should serve as an inspiration and motivation for others to do likewise, and to put themselves in a position to proudly extend their hands for their own just rewards.”
Minister Hamilton also used the opportunity to encourage self-employed persons to register and remain up to date with payments.
“On July 1st, 1996, Social Security extended its coverage to the self-employed: a sector that continues to grow despite the economic downturn. I take this opportunity to commend you who are self-employed and implore you to not only register but to remain compliant at all times. Your failure to do so could result in hardships later on in life.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of Self-Employed Coverage.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 04, 2021 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is moving to strengthen the relationship between the Department of Labour and St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board in order to streamline programmes to benefit workers.
Prime Minister and Minister, Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris, gave some insight into ways the government will be enhancing collaborative efforts in the coming weeks and months.
“We expect a report to Cabinet shortly regarding the feasibility of setting up an E-platform for the Labour Department and Social Security to interface with each other on severance payments and related matters, while observing and confirming with data privacy and data protection issues,” Dr Harris stated in his New Year’s Address on January 01, 2021.
The government is also preparing to implement actuarial recommendations on the Severance Fund, Long Service Gratuity and Unemployment Benefits.
This comes after an additional $7 million was pumped into the Severance Fund to facilitate payments in 2021.
Prime Minister Harris said that his administration remains committed to empowering workers across the twin-island Federation.
“… This demonstrates our love and concern for workers,” the prime minister said. “We will continue to protect our workers and ensure that their future is safe and secure. These are important labour values, which further demonstrate our commitment that our workers are protected at all times.”
Dr Harris added that additional measures to increase worker empowerment will be implemented.
“My government will extend duty-free concessions accorded to first time home builders to the Teachers’ Union, the Labour Union, and any of our Credit Unions and Banks, which will undertake to build new offices or to make significant renovation of existing offices, and engage in approved residential developments within the next twelve (12) months,” he indicated.
This, along with the duty-free concessions to first-time homeowners over the next 12 months, is expected to spur further construction activity in the country.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 18, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Minister of Labour, Senator the Honourable Wendy Phipps, revealed in the National Assembly on Thursday, December 17 that to date, the Department of Labour has paid out close to $10 million dollars in severance payments to more than 900 claimants.
Minister Phipps made the revelation while lending her support to The Appropriation (2021) Bill, 2020.
In a detailed account of the work of the Department of Labour, the honourable minister stated that at the end of day on Monday, December 14, the department had received a total of two thousand, three hundred and fifty-three (2,353) claims for severance payment.
“Data from the Labour Commissioner indicates that as of Monday at the close of business the total number of claims received was 2,353; the total number of claims being processed right now – 1,277; the total number of claims received between the 10th and 14th of December alone – 59; total number of severance claims processed to date – 1,017; total number of claims paid out to date – 916; total number of claims awaiting payment – 101, and total amount of money paid out by the Department of Labour thus far for severance claims – $9,974,817.76,” Minister Phipps said.
To facilitate the payment of these claims, the Team Unity administration provided additional resources in the region of $11 million to capitalize the Severance Payment Fund as part of its $120-million stimulus package.
Minister Phipps said, “Traditionally, the Severance Payment Fund has always been in a state of arrears largely due to abuses to the system. Abuses committed by employers, abuses where it might have occured in the past where even staff members within the department would have colluded with employers to put through severance claims that were not genuine claims.”
The Labour Minister further stressed the need for a review of the Protection of Employment Act to address several issues, including the Severance Payment Fund, which was severely hemorrhaged by the former administration.
Senator Phipps said, “When it comes to severance payments, the only person who contributes to the Severance Payment Fund is the employer; the worker does not pay a cent. One percent of payroll is deducted from the employers’ full payroll number to go towards severance pay, and it means then…that several things are going on here; the fund is under capitalized, it is in need of review and it has also demonstrated the need to fill loopholes and gaps where abuses have been taking place. But then the fund was further taxed when, in 2014, the previous government introduced the long service gratuity but then failed to put additional monies into the fund to capitalize it, so the same pot of funds where severance payment claims were being paid from is the same pot of funds that we are expected to pay long service gratuity funds.”
To further rectify the matter of severance payments going forward, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, announced the injection of additional resources in the region of $7 million to further capitalize the Severance Payment Fund and facilitate the payment of severance claims in 2021.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 02, 2020 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, announced that the government continues to move forward with its plans to regularize and transition the Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP) Workers to Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs).
“The government is moving forward with plans for the regularization and transition of the Skills STEP workers to Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs),” said Prime Minister Harris during his December 01, 2020, monthly press conference at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Headquarters on December 01, 2020. “Following the June 05 General Elections, a STEP Regularization and Pensions Reform Committee was immediately established to chart the way forward and to make recommendations to ensure the promises which we made to these workers would be fulfilled.”
The committee made several recommendations which include a review exercise of the STEP workers to eliminate ghost workers. The performance evaluations conducted for each STEP worker assessed by their quality of work, job knowledge, productivity, communication and interpersonal skills, adaptability initiatives, dependability, service orientation, attitude and behaviour, and planning and organization.
“We are now satisfied that we can rely on the data. We have started discussions with the STEP workers about a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. New hours of work have been provided and are to be strictly adhered to. Those who do not work will not be paid unless their absence was approved for a legitimate purpose such as illness,” said Prime Minister Harris. “We are working hard to elevate the level of respect, pride, discipline and industry among all STEP workers and it is important that we do so since being a small island state, our human resources are critical and vital. The values and positive attitude toward work are critical to the successful development of our young nation and the need to be complemented with a zeal for excellence in all that we do as a people.”
There are tremendous benefits that would be accrued to persons who transition into government from the STEP Programme. They would be eligible for appointment into the public service under the Government Auxiliary Employment Act and they will also benefit from greater job security and security of tenure consistent with the guidelines, terms and conditions of employment to be established in the Regulations of the GAE Act, 2020.
Additionally, the employees would also be eligible for several other benefits including enrollment in the government’s health insurance scheme and in the government’s contributory pension plan, as well as the Long Service Gratuity which is paid to workers who would have demitted office at age 62. When transitioned into government, the employees would be eligible to receive a lump-sum payment of life insurance which would be paid to their estate or beneficiaries upon their passing.
According to Prime Minister Harris, the STEP has approximately 3,072 employees assigned across the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. Of this total 1,811 employees are assigned to the Public sectors both in St. Kitts and Nevis and 1,261 are assigned to the Private sector.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 18, 2020 (S.T.E.P.) — The Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP) has introduced new guidelines for field workers attached to Community Enhancement Groups, which are geared towards streamlining the workers’ attendance with the sole aim of getting greater operational efficiency.
“This is a programme that should have been done from the beginning of the year, but due to coronavirus, and then we had an election and then we began to work on the regularisation of the STEP workers, the programme was delayed,” explained STEP Director, Mr Emile Greene.
According to Mr Greene, persons would have complained that the STEP workers in the field were not working or were working for a few hours but were still getting paid for hours that they are not in the field. The new guidelines will ensure that STEP gets greater operational efficiency of its field side.
“We can see it especially now we are in the rainy season there are many areas that are overgrown and we thought, with the approval and instruction of the government that we are going to introduce new measures and to enforce them,” said Mr Greene. “Our work day will now be 7:00 am to 2:00 in the afternoon. Previously, by 10 o’clock you cannot find any of the cleaning crew on the road. The come out a few hours and then they are gone home.”
Accompanied by STEP Field Operations Manager Mr William Phillip, STEP Senior Field Officer Mr Jason McKoy, STEP Field Officer Mr Leslie Connor, and STEP Verification Officer Mr Keith Warner, Mr Greene has been visiting the various Community Enhancement Groups in St. Kitts and updating the workers on the new measures. STEP Chief Field Officer in Nevis Mr Oscar Browne has been visiting the groups in Nevis.
The workers have been advised that STEP will enforce punctuality and the attendance requirements, and those persons who do not work and those who are consistently absent will be disciplined.
“We have said to them that they have to be early, and they have to come with their tools,” observed Mr Greene. “You cannot come to work and if you are somebody who is supposed to be doing raking or cutting grass using a machete, they come empty-handed – we will send them back home. We have also said to them that the practice of not working on Friday must stop immediately.”
Mr Greene reports that they have so far seen some improvement with some of the groups, but added that a lot more still needs to be done as the programme has just started. STEP is using the field officers to go out every day to verify that persons are turning up to work on time, and that they are staying on the job for the required time, while at the same time ensuring that the quantity and the quality of work done has improved.
“With the transformation in work hours, the transformation in quantity of work, and the transformation in the work done, I think over the next few months the people of St. Kitts and Nevis should be pleased with the work, as government is determined during these times that money spent must bring value to the country,” noted the STEP Director.
He concluded: “Covid-19 has changed many things in the way countries operate and here in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet they have indicated that the programme must – there is no if or no doubt – improve and there be value for money being spent.”
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