Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, December 14, 2023 (Press Secretary, PMOSKN) – In a groundbreaking 2024 Budget Address on December 13, 2023, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew instituted a series of transformative financial relief initiatives, providing much-needed support to the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The announcement of an eight percent (8%) general salary increase for all civil servants and pensioners, effective January 1st, 2024, was made with the recognition of their invaluable contributions to the government service
“This increase reflects our appreciation for your contributions to the Government service as we firmly believe that your efforts should be recognized and fairly compensated”, Prime Minister Drew stated.
In a show of further appreciation, a Christmas Bonus equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of their salary will be granted to all civil servants and Government Auxiliary Workers (GAEs), including Pensioners and STEP workers, on December 21st, 2023.
Not limiting the generosity to the civil service, Prime Minister Drew announced a groundbreaking “Workers’ Bonus” initiative, granting non-civil servants a bonus of five hundred dollars (EC$500.00) during the month of December. This bonus will be disbursed through the Saint Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board, marking a historic move in the Federation and the Caribbean.
He stated, “We don’t want to just leave the bonus, of course, at this time when the economy has not fully recovered, to just the civil servants. We also want to give a bonus to those who are not in the civil service”.
Prime Minister Drew emphasized that this unprecedented Workers’ Bonus is the first of its kind in the region, directly disbursed by the Government to non-civil servants.
He noted that these individuals, crucial to the private sector, have faced substantial financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Acknowledging their resilience and dedication, the Government has chosen to express gratitude through this landmark financial relief initiative.
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St. Kitts is the real economic power house while Antigua is run by a bunch of fraudsters.
St Kitts Sales Tax is 17.5% for the last 10years.
@ i-man
What turns on that you minion?
Phew! Now this is what you call “for the people.” It is sure to send some jitters through local government circles. I maintain that these are initiatives that could have easily been done in Antigua had government been more prudent and careful about tax collection and spending. Too much waste in government and budgetary estimates always prove to be more of a sham than any realistic estimation. . It is regrettable that St Kitts is showing us up on how the management and implementation of taxes ought to be done. We are forced to now implement additional tax measures because of reckless spending and poor financial management. The more money government takes in, the greater the waste. St. Kitts and Nevis really seem like the true Economic Powerhouse in the region. I salute them for the package of tax and monetary incentives that their citizens would be benefitting from. Remarkable and people centered initiatives indeed. And after all is said and done, more wasteful giveaways, as we look to host the annual One Nation Concert again.
Audley, when we get to the point of SKN, ie having CIP for over 4 decades (began in 1984), plus a 17 percent vat for the past 10 years, (2012)restructuring their debt by forcing creditors, including A&B Social security, to take pennies on the dollars: we will be able to give the goodies like SKN.
@tenman
And what is Antigua getting? More of Gaston’s hot air.
And remember @ Saying, NO financial transparency and accountability as well …
The Christmas bonus given by the government of Antigua to civil servants is the government “trying” to pay regular salaries on time. May or may not work out. Same for pensions.
Murder! Meanwhile here in Antigua, the prime minister is set to announce increases in abst, airport tax and ‘sin tax!’ Is dog we name over here?
St Kitts Sales Tax is 17.5%.
@ i-man
What turns on that you minion?
St Kitts, show these devils over here how it’s done! Economic powerhouse WHERE?!!!!!!!
Wow, now here’s another Caribbean Prime Minister (alongside Barbados 🇧🇧 and Guyana 🇬🇾) that is looking out for the country and their citizens.
And on the flip-side of this, Antiguans voted in recent times for more struggles, like tax hikes, a non functioning water system, a distinct lack of affordable housing; and – let us not forget – a plethora of broken manifesto promises.
WHAT AN AMAZING PM WE HAVE …
Loving it! Goooooooo SKN!!!!!
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