Prime Minister Timothy Harris declares to regularize STEP workers in Labour address

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis delivered a key address on "Labour Day." During the address, he declared to regularize Skills Training Empowerment Program (STEP).

Monday, 2nd May 2022

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Dr Timothy Harris

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis delivered a key address on "Labour Day." During the address, he declared to regularize Skills Training Empowerment Program (STEP) workers. He also expressed gratitude to all health, administration and security workers for their hard work during the pandemic. He said these individuals acted very responsively to safeguard the people of the Federation. He said with the efforts of such individuals, the economy of St Kitts and Nevis would grow by 10 percent this year, "We are also working on a new economic recovery and goals strategy,". He also discussed the hard days of the Labour movement in the Federation and expressed solidarity.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkL9VQ1qx_0[/embed]

Prime Minister also said his government's people-centric and worker-centric programmes provided critical access to sources when they needed the most. He said that under the 11 million given through the stimulus programme, around a 9.6million were spent under the income support programme and to provide fuel subsidy. While the government also provided disability support worth $722000 to people. He said under these efforts, around 2641 workers received support out of 1800 people were of St Kitts, while 841 were from Nevis. "As we look to the future, the policy decisions of this government will continue to benefit the workers of this country," said the Prime Minister. He also addressed the increased cost of living in the Federation and assured of finding a solid solution. He said last Thursday; that the cabinet received a full presentation of several suggestions that would help curtail the high cost of living in the country. "I am aware that the cost of living is a major concern for all people; I spent time with my cabinet colleagues to find a matter of relief". New measures announced by Prime Minister Timothy Harris

Government Civil servants, pensioners, and STEP workers to get the benefit of a significant increase in salaries and wages at the rate of 10 percent. Around 4000 salaried individuals, 1000 auxiliary government employees, and 2800 STEP workers to get the benefit.
Regularizing of STEP workers in coming months

"We will continue to provide better job security for a large number of people; I wish every one of them every success,". Furthermore, Prime Minister added that on 13 April 2022, the government granted the approval to amend the prices of gasoline, and the excise tax and importation duty was reduced to provide relief from April to September 2022. Announcing the new measures of the government, he said income and disability support to be extended for additional three months to assist workers who remain unemployed.