SVG Green Party is very concerned about the growing gap between the rich and poor in SVG. Poverty is more prevalent in families where the head of the household is unemployed, or on a pension, or on a low income or unskilled. Poverty is also more prevalent in female-headed households, i.e., where there is a single parent and it is a woman. These types of households, and there are many of them, are the ones who are suffering most under this economically incompetent ULP regime. These types of households need to be supported and enabled more, increasing so, under this present economic crisis.

With the cost of living spirally upwards, VAT and increased fuel charges, the present daily rates of pay have been devalued and pushed low-income people further into poverty. The socially conscious, economically competent and visionary SVG Green Party makes a strong plea to the ULP regime to increase national minimum daily wages.

The ULP government needs to approve legislation at the next sitting of the House of Assembly to increase minimum wages so families can survive the VAT impact. The increase needs to be immediate. The new minimum rates should be at least:

• $50 per day for unskilled people;
• $100 per day for skilled people;
• $500 per month poor relief per person;
• $500 per month disablement allowance per person.

VAT in SVG is destructive to the economy. Countries with VAT usually have a high threshold for minimum daily wage rates for employees. SVG should be no exception. The doctrine of the ULP regime in running the SVG economy is backwards thinking. The ULP regime has introduced some desperate taxes and this has put many people unnecessarily under pressure. A government is meant to help its people, not burden them. The public is being made to pay for ULP regime economic incompetence. Citizens’ income has been seriously devalued by increased charges on goods and ULP regime nonsense taxes.

Retired and disabled people need a help to survive the present economic downturn in SVG. Elderly people have devoted a lifetime to their country and it is only right and proper that they are respected and valued. An increase in pensions is one way of showing this. Elderly people will find it harder to cope with these taxes.

SVG Green Party believes that increased minimum wage rates will be a factor in bringing about much needed social stability in SVG. People are suffering under ULP regime policies. There would be a large knock-on effect of this increase. A worker able to bring home a weekly wage of EC$ 250 or more is better able to provide for their family. It helps put food on the table and parents can invest more in their children’s education and future. This will also encourage young people to take up training to gain skills to gain employment.

SVG Green Party believes that action must be taken immediately to ease the financial pressures put upon poor and low-income families. Ultimately, VAT needs to be abolished - it should never have been introduced!