标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

A significant controversy has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as reinstated public sector workers accuse the newly elected New Democratic Party (NDP) administration of failing to fulfill campaign promises regarding salary bonuses. The government faced intense criticism Thursday night after remaining silent on allegations that hundreds of recently reinstated employees received substantially reduced payments instead of the full bonuses pledged during last year’s election campaign.

Multiple public servants have reported receiving merely EC$166.67 instead of the promised EC$2,000, while others obtained EC$125 rather than the anticipated EC$1,500. Approximately 100 workers reinstated under the NDP’s policy appear most severely affected, receiving only one-twelfth of the committed amounts according to documents obtained by iWitness News.

The dispute centers on a January 26, 2026 government memorandum—issued just three days after officials publicly announced bonus payments—stipulating that public sector workers who hadn’t worked the entire previous year were ineligible for full bonuses. This directive directly contradicts Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s administration’s previous commitments to fully reinstate all benefits for workers terminated under the previous government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Over 500 public servants lost their positions in November 2021 under the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration for refusing COVID-19 vaccination. The NDP had campaigned explicitly on reinstating these workers with full benefits, aligning with High Court Justice Esco Henry’s March 2023 ruling that declared the vaccine mandate illegal and unconstitutional.

Justice Henry’s landmark decision had emphasized that terminated workers “remain entitled to hold those respective offices” and should receive “full pay and all benefits due and payable to them.” The ruling specifically mandated compensation for constitutional breaches including interest at 6% annually.

The current administration maintains it upholds Justice Henry’s ruling despite the Court of Appeal’s subsequent overturning of the decision, which has now been appealed to the Privy Council in London. Attorney General Louise Mitchell previously stated at a January 23 press conference that 92 of 100 returning workers had been placed in positions and would receive full benefits.

Reinstated workers now report that government departments are treating their service as interrupted rather than continuous, directly contravening both court rulings and campaign promises. Mitchell had previously emphasized that government policy required full compliance with reinstatement commitments, stating: “The policy is for the persons to return to work full with their benefits intact. Everyone in a position that affects the implementation of that policy must adhere with that.”

The growing discontent among public servants highlights the challenges facing the two-month-old administration in reconciling political promises with bureaucratic implementation, raising questions about the government’s ability to deliver on its commitment to rectify what it had condemned as unjust treatment of public employees.

In a forceful address on national radio, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ newly appointed National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock issued an uncompromising warning to criminal organizations, demanding immediate cessation of armed violence while outlining a dual-strategy approach to public safety.

Speaking on NBC Radio just two months into his tenure, Minister Leacock—a former Commandant of the St. Vincent Cadet Force with substantial military background—vowed to reclaim every square inch of national territory from gang influence. “I will not hesitate to employ all legal measures,” declared Leacock, emphasizing that criminal elements would not be permitted to foster fear among citizens.

The Minister acknowledged statistical improvements in homicide rates over recent years but maintained that current crime levels remain unacceptable. His strategy combines robust law enforcement with what he terms “soft power” initiatives—preventive measures targeting the sociological roots of criminal behavior.

Leacock specifically praised NBC Radio’s innovative public awareness campaign featuring emotional appeals from children urging family members to avoid criminal activities. These broadcasts include testimonials from incarcerated individuals describing the harsh realities of prison life.

Calling for nationwide collaboration, the Minister invited media outlets, community organizations, and creative professionals to contribute to anti-crime efforts through cultural, educational, and religious channels. He emphasized that sustainable security requires collective societal engagement alongside traditional enforcement measures.

Minister Leacock confirmed ongoing coordination with local law enforcement and the Regional Security System, indicating that operational responses are being strengthened while preventive measures are being expanded.

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has announced the creation of a Private Sector Advisory Council, with Prime Minister Godwin Friday confirming the initiative will be operational by March 2026. This strategic body will function as a direct communication channel between the Cabinet and business leaders, facilitating structured dialogue on economic matters.

The council’s mandate includes regular assessment of economic conditions, identification of sector-specific challenges, and development of practical solutions to enhance the business environment while reducing operational costs. During his second high-level engagement with private sector representatives on Tuesday, Prime Minister Friday emphasized that the council would transform conceptual discussions into actionable policies supporting investment, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

The forum, themed “Partners in Progress: A New Social Contract for St. Vincent,” brought together Cabinet members, senior government officials, and prominent business figures including Jimmie Forde (ACADO SVG), Shafia London (SLU Group), Derry Williams (Bank of SVG), Isola Giddings (SVG Hotel & Tourism Association), and Ronette Lewis (Centre for Enterprise Development).

Prime Minister Friday articulated that sustainable prosperity requires concrete partnership and action, stating: “We are not here for a talk shop, but a working session to forge a new social contract for 2026 and beyond. Prosperity is built on our farms, in our fishing villages, on construction sites, and in the boardrooms represented here today.”

The government’s initiative received regional endorsement from Dr. Patrick Antoine, CEO and Technical Director of the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO). Speaking at the forum, Dr. Antoine advocated for strengthened public-private partnerships across the Caribbean region, emphasizing the need for evidence-based collaboration to drive investment, innovation, and effective policy formulation. He specifically highlighted opportunities for St. Vincent’s emerging industries and enhanced business integration with neighboring Grenada.

This establishment of formal government-private sector dialogue mechanisms represents a significant step toward advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy objectives while addressing national economic priorities through collaborative governance.

In a scathing parliamentary address on Thursday, Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves delivered a comprehensive critique of the New Democratic Party’s EC$1.89 billion fiscal package for 2026, characterizing the government’s approach as financially perilous and fundamentally inadequate for current economic challenges.

The North Central Windward MP and former prime minister asserted that the EC$105.5 million deficit contained within the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure surpasses the combined deficits of four previous years under his administration, despite those periods encompassing extraordinary crises including COVID-19, volcanic eruptions, Hurricane Elsa, and the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl which destroyed over 90% of structures in the Southern Grenadines.

Gonsalves dismissed Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s budget presentation as “an underwhelming and laboured performance” filled with “self-congratulation” rather than substantive policy. He warned that the current fiscal approach represents “dangerous treading water while gasping for breath,” particularly criticizing the recurrent budget framework as unsustainable.

The opposition leader raised serious concerns about the government’s borrowing strategy, noting the EC$200 million in projected local loans represents twice the amount approved for 2025. He highlighted the irony of this approach from a party that previously criticized what it termed “ballooning debt and huge fiscal deficits.”

Gonsalves presented detailed financial analysis indicating that when accounting for current account deficit, amortization payments, and sinking fund contributions, the government faces a total financial gap exceeding EC$401.4 million before even addressing capital expenditures. He questioned the feasibility of raising EC$573.9 million through external loans, noting that only EC$385 million is allocated to the capital budget while the remainder appears directed toward recurrent spending.

The former prime minister projected significant implementation challenges, suggesting that local loan financing would not materialize until late March at the earliest due to market constraints. He warned government MPs that community projects promised in the budget would face substantial delays and predicted potential difficulties in meeting monthly salary obligations and essential bill payments.

Gonsalves concluded that the budget framework is “unsuited to these perilous times” and unlikely to generate meaningful economic growth, characterizing it as a collection of “little bits and pieces with doubtful funding” rather than a coherent economic strategy.

In a significant political development, veteran opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves formally commenced his parliamentary duties on Thursday by taking the oaths of allegiance and declaration. This ceremony occurred just prior to the newly elected New Democratic Party administration presenting the 2026 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.

The swearing-in follows a notable procedural incident where House Speaker Ronnia Durham-Balcombe had previously excluded Gonsalves from a parliamentary committee meeting due to his delayed oath-taking. At 79 years old, Gonsalves now enters his 32nd year as representative for North Central Windward, making him both the longest-serving and oldest sitting parliamentarian.

Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party suffered a devastating electoral collapse in the November 27 polls, securing only one seat compared to the NDP’s 14-seat victory. This outcome ended the ULP’s 24-year governance period that began with a landslide 12-3 win in 2001.

The opposition leader had previously expressed uncertainty about his swearing-in timeline, telling a December press conference he was giving the matter “prayerful consideration” while maintaining his constitutional position as opposition leader appointed by the Governor General.

Accompanying Gonsalves in Thursday’s ceremony were two opposition senators: Carlos James, who lost the North Leeward seat after one term, and Keisal Peter, a former ULP senator and minister who failed to secure the West Kingstown constituency.

House Speaker Durham-Balcombe formally welcomed the opposition members, declaring “The House is now fully constituted” following the ceremony. The political transition marks a dramatic reversal for the ULP, which had governed since 2001 but faced declining popular support despite major infrastructure projects, ultimately culminating in their recent electoral collapse.

In a significant parliamentary confrontation, Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves has formally appealed to Governor General Stanley ‘Stalky’ John after House Speaker Ronnia Durham-Balcombe prohibited his participation in a crucial Finance Committee meeting. The exclusion stems from Gonsalves’ failure to complete mandatory oath-taking procedures following November’s general election.

Gonsalves, who served as Prime Minister for 25 years before his party’s electoral defeat, emerged as the sole Unity Labour Party representative securing a seat in the November 27 elections, while the New Democratic Party captured the remaining 14 constituencies. Alongside ULP senators Carlos James and Keisal Peters—both former parliamentarians—Gonsalves abstained from the December 23 ceremonial parliamentary opening where government members were sworn in.

The constitutional impasse reached critical stage during Wednesday’s Finance Committee session, convened to review 2026 Revenue and Expenditure Estimates ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary debate. Speaker Durham-Balcombe formally notified Gonsalves via Monday correspondence that his participation would be barred due to the unresolved oath requirement.

During a Wednesday broadcast on his party’s Star Radio platform, Gonsalves characterized the speaker’s communication as “absurd,” revealing she had suggested he seek permission from Prime Minister Dr. Friday to attend—a proposal he denounced as “triumphalist, partisan politicking.” The opposition leader detailed his written response to the speaker, copied to the governor general, condemning the decision as “an erroneous, egregious and high-handed assault on democratic norms.”

Gonsalves defended his absence from the parliamentary opening by citing security concerns, referencing a 2021 incident where he sustained head injuries from protesters while approaching Parliament. He asserted that National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock had ignored the former governor general’s request for enhanced security provisions, forcing his “carefully considered decision” to boycott the opening session.

The political veteran invoked historical precedent from May 2018 when NDP opposition members, including Dr. Friday, declined to make qualification declarations yet faced no participation barriers. Gonsalves emphasized that the speaker had previously engaged with opposition members on parliamentary questions and distributed committee materials despite their unsworn status, creating what he termed an “estoppel” situation.

Proposing a resolution, Gonsalves suggested the clerk administer oaths during committee opening prayers, arguing the speaker cannot simultaneously deem the committee a proceeding requiring oaths while refusing to facilitate their administration. As of Wednesday, neither the governor general nor speaker had responded to his appeal, though Gonsalves noted the immediate procedural nature of the meeting minimized substantive impact.

A significant parliamentary dispute has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after House Speaker Ronnia Durham-Balcombe blocked three questions submitted by Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves for Thursday’s parliamentary session. The rejected inquiries included a six-part question regarding Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s son, Nicholas Friday, who serves as an unpaid aide to his father.

Gonsalves, a former prime minister, publicly challenged the Speaker’s decision on his Unity Labour Party’s radio station, Star Radio, reading aloud a formal letter of protest he had sent. The Speaker justified the rejection by citing parliamentary rules prohibiting questions covering multiple subjects or excessive length.

The core controversy centers on the appointment and role of the Prime Minister’s son in government affairs. Gonsalves sought detailed information about Nicholas Friday’s specific duties, appointment authority, meeting participation, access to official documents, potential benefits received, and whether any external entities contribute financially to his role.

Gonsalves emphasized this wasn’t a personal attack but a matter of institutional integrity: ‘These are fundamental questions of institutional democracy and governance.’ He warned that if ministers could appoint relatives without oversight, it would establish a dangerous precedent.

The Opposition Leader vowed to pursue the matter both inside and outside Parliament, stating: ‘You’re not going to be able to muzzle me… I want the speaker to understand that with clarity.’ He questioned whether this incident marked ‘the beginning of a creeping dictatorship,’ particularly noting that Durham-Balcombe has yet to preside over a full parliamentary session since her election on December 23.

The development represents an early test for the new Speaker and raises questions about parliamentary transparency and the boundaries of executive authority in the Vincentian democracy.