Since being re-elected in December of last year, the Gonsalves Government have done little to protect jobs, create jobs, or benefit the unemployed. It feels as though now they’ve got their own jobs; they care little for the people that got them in the first place. We’ve seen businesses close and jobs lost, yet Camillo seems to continue to raise the cost of living and doesn’t support those most in need.
The latest example of poor Government policy must be the recent bungle with the Sandals Exchange Programme. The aim was to send 200 workers from SVG to the Turks and Caicos to provide training opportunities. But Camillo had not even consulted the Turks and Caicos Government, who released a statement saying that: “We have not had any discussions along these lines and in the event, we do, we will always look out for the betterment of our people first.”
Details of this programme were evidently not finalised before it was announced, and Camillo doesn’t seem to care. Our tourism sector is on its knees during COVID, desperate for support and he can’t be bothered to finalise a deal. It leaves our workers struggling for jobs and our future at risk.
Then take our struggling LIAT workers, who recently created a special protest video highlighting the non-payment of EC$119 million in outstanding entitlements including EC$79 million in severance outstanding for close to a year. Their cries for help have been falling on deaf ears. Mortgage payments or paying for food seem not to matter to a newly re-elected Government.
We’ve also seen the closing down of Vincy Fresh. A Government-owned food and drink company that has fallen apart and yet the Government is nowhere to be seen when it comes to helping and compensating employees.
All the while they continue to raise the cost of living; petrol prices are increasing; the cost of shopping is set to rise with Camillo’s Customs Charge, and they don’t even acknowledge it. We wanted a Government that looks out for workers, and we’ve been given one that doesn’t even care about them. It’s time to tell your ULP friends that enough is enough!