Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis: St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew initiated the long-awaited pension payment to hundreds of retired Government Assistant Employees (GAEs) on July 25 at a special event.
This historic ceremony was held in Church Street, Basseterre, just opposite the Government Headquarters. It was attended by members of the federal cabinet, senior government officials, representatives of the pension reform task force and federal government retirees.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the pension payment, Prime Minister Drew said that this important initiative was crucial for the administration to honour the unwavering commitment and dedication of those employees who have worked tirelessly to save the country without the guarantee of a secure future.
He also said that with this initiative, employees who have dedicated their lives to public service will now finally be able to regain dignity and security. He called on the GAE, the backbone of public services, which are traffic wardens, environmental workers, messengers, drivers, custodians, technicians and many more.
The Prime Minister added that these GAEs have served the nation without the guarantee of pension, which was their basic right and was unjustly snatched away from them. The leader of the nation further criticised the previous administration and stated that they implemented an extremely harmful and shameful policy against the hardworking citizens of the Federation by reducing their gratuity by 66%.
Prime Minister Drew said that this move by the previous administration was not just a financial cut, but a blow to their dignity and recognition. He further mentioned that his administration was finally able to rectify the mistake of the previous government and restore the dignity of the GAE.
Some of the pension beneficiaries, namely Vingrove Vaughn and Alice Govia, expressed their gratitude to the Government for keeping its promise and recognising their contribution. They also urged the youth to work hard till the age of 62 to be able to enjoy the benefits of the pension.
Pension payments are retroactive to January 2024 and this initial distribution marks the beginning of monthly pension payments that will continue for the rest of one’s life. Prime Minister Drew reiterated his commitment to fostering a fair and equitable society where the contributions of all citizens are valued and respected.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Cabinet and the Pension Committee for their hard work in ensuring that these retired workers can receive their well-deserved monthly pension payments.
