Former St Lucia ministers seeking back pay

Six former St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government ministers have written to Allen Chastanet’s administration through their attorneys, seeking back pay, according to the St Lucia Times.

The letter was dated 20 November 2017, it has been reported.

According to information obtained, former Minister for Education, Human Resource Development and Labour Robert Lewis, former Minister for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte, and former Minister for Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations Alvina Reynolds are among the six.

Former Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries Lorne Theophilus, former Minister for Physical Development, Housing and Urban Renewal Stanley Felix and former Minster for Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment Harold Dalsan were also named.

St Lucia Times was reliably informed that the six are requesting that the current administration implement the recommendations of the Salaries Review Commission.

The former ministers are said to be claiming three years back pay for the period prior to 2010 and increases from 1 April 2010.

In 2013, then Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Kenny Anthony had denied that government ministers planned to or had taken a 30% salary increase, noting that it had been 14 years since ministers last received a salary increase.

Anthony said as difficult as the situation was for members of the cabinet, they recognised that it was not the time to accept an increase in salary.

It is reported that the six former labour ministers who are seeking payment, through their attorneys have dispatched what is known as a ‘pre-action protocol letter’ to the government.

It is understood that legal action could follow.