The Nurses Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has issued a formal response to recent political commentary regarding the discontinuation of a 5% tax-free supplement for nursing professionals. The statement addresses claims made by former Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves that the New Democratic Party government had ‘axed’ the benefit, providing crucial context about the temporary nature of the measure.
The Association emphasized that the supplemental allowance was originally introduced as a time-bound fiscal relief measure rather than a permanent benefit increase. According to their press release, the previous administration under the Unity Labour Party had clearly communicated that the 5% supplement would initially run for six months from January 2024, later extended through December 2025, while the government considered broader reclassification and upgrading of nursing positions.
While acknowledging and commending the former government for implementing the temporary measure, the Association revealed several previously unaddressed concerns regarding equity in compensation. Notably, midwives attached to the Division of Nursing Education were systematically excluded from receiving the benefit despite commitments to include all midwives. The Association disclosed that multiple attempts to engage then-Finance Minister Gonsalves on this inequity went unanswered.
The statement further contextualized the temporary nature of such fiscal measures, noting that international financial institutions like the IMF and Inter-American Development Bank often recommend time-bound relief measures during economic challenges while maintaining long-term fiscal stability.
Association President Shelly-Ann Alexander-Ross reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advocating for improved working conditions, fair compensation, and professional recognition for nurses. The Association pledged to continue constructive engagement with all relevant stakeholders in the interest of its members and the nation’s healthcare system.