Pension for government auxiliary workers to be resolved soon

THE PENSIONABLE STATUS OF GOVERNMENT AUXILIARY WORKERS has been in limbo for years and St Kitts and Nevis Attorney General Garth Wilkin is promising a resolution shortly.

“I know that it is a primary importance to the Prime Minister (Dr Terrance Drew) and head of the civil service. There were persons who were promised that they would receive pensions who have not gotten them, and I can promise you that we will provide the necessary legal advice from the attorney general’s office, so that a firm decision can be made by cabinet in moving forward with respect to the government auxiliary employees, AG Wilkin promised.

“…that was very high (on PM Drew’s agenda) as that was one of the first things that (he) sent down to the Attorney General’s Chambers,” Wilkin said.

Past indecisions on whether auxiliary workers are pensionable and, if not, whether plans exist to upgrade their employment status was foremost on Drew’s mind “the very day he took office,” Wilkin disclosed.

 “What happened is that there is a conflict with the legislation and what was the intended policy. So, our team is currently working to resolve that issue so that there is clarity moving forward,” the AG explained.

Despite past promises to give them a pension, the matter has not been properly concluded, creating the current snafu.

. “I am not giving timelines, but this matter is actively being addressed. It will not take more than a further four to six weeks,” the AG predicted.

Pension for aggrieved auxiliary workers was a campaign theme for candidate Drew and his St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) during the 2022 election campaign.