BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts-Nevis government says it will present legislation to Parliament on Thursday to provide long-overdue pension security to thousands of Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs).
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew said the Comprehensive Pension Bill would also cover crossing guards, environmental workers, hospital maids, and drain maintenance staff who have served the twin-island Federation without adequate post-retirement support.
“This Labour administration will lay before our Parliament a bill to bring, I would say, justice to the thousands of GAE workers who would benefit. The pension plan will be legislated, and anybody who wants to touch it will have to go back to Parliament to touch it because they deserve it,” Prime Minister Drew told radio listeners to a radio program here.
He said that in July last year, the government commenced pension payments to hundreds of retired GAEs who had previously been denied such benefits. This followed the establishment of the Government Auxiliary Employees’ Commission, which provided a structured framework for the appointment, terms of employment, and pension coverage of GAEs.
Eligibility for the pension requires GAEs to be at least 62 years old with a minimum of 15 years of service. The pension payments are retroactive to January 2024, and qualified GAEs now receive monthly pension payments for life.
Drew said that the legislation aligns with his government’s broader agenda to enhance social protection and equity. Initiatives such as the ASPIRE program, which provides EC$1,000 (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) seed accounts to young citizens, and the recent 8% salary increase for civil servants underscore the administration’s commitment to uplifting all segments of society.
“We believe in the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party in adjusting people’s wages where possible and putting in pension plans. Because these are more secure ways of maintaining our people,” Prime Minister Drew told the radio program.
He said the new legislation represents a significant step towards rectifying past injustices and ensuring a dignified retirement for those who have dedicated their lives to public service.
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