Chief Economist in the Research and Policy Unit in the Department of Finance, Janai Leonce, reports that the uptake by frontline workers to government’s policy intervention regarding the provision of concessions on the purchase of a vehicle has exceeded all expectations. The concessions formed part of the initiatives under Saint Lucia’s Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan aimed at stimulating economic activity in the new and used motor vehicle sector while simultaneously showing appreciation to frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council in the Department of Finance is charged with monitoring the initiatives implemented by the Government of Saint Lucia under the Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan (ERRP) which were designed to combat the socioeconomic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the early stage of the pandemic, the Medical Director at the Victoria Hospital, Dr. Alisha Eugene-Ford lamented a very worrying situation for frontline workers, particularly nurses.
“Some of the staff have been complaining about some of the stigma and discrimination they go through because they are actually taking care of persons who are suspect Covid cases…”
Natalie John, a Registered Nurse attached to the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre, said the stigma and discrimination dished out by certain sections of the public had a profound physiological impact on herself and her fellow colleagues which was compounded by the increased death toll and workload brought about by the pandemic.
“It’s because the comments that were being made, it was like, hey I am human, I am somebody’s relative. So at the end of the day, they were like, why are you doing this to me? I felt the psychological effects. I am putting my life at risk, why are you directly attacking me? That’s how it felt for me physiologically.”
Policy Intervention number 21, under the ERRP, provided duty-free concessions on the purchase of a vehicle for frontline essential public service staff.
“For the first time, I was like, thank you, Jesus. Honestly being a frontline worker, I was like thank you, Jesus.”
Chief Economist in the Research and Policy Unit in the Department of Finance, Janai Leonce, highlighted the success of this initiative which was a direct response to the transportation and discrimination issues faced by frontline workers in the early stage of the pandemic.
“So we sought to remedy that situation and work with all stakeholders involved to putting a system in place that would allow for front liners, healthcare workers, to access vehicles whether it be new or used at affordable rates and we are quite pleased with what has happened to date. Over the year and a half, we have had just under 400 persons benefit from that package and that actually exceeds our expectations. So it means that there was a demand for the service and it means that we have provided as many front liners with a means of transportation who in some cases would not have been able to afford with the duties or what have you. Or, they would have it put off years into the future. So we are quite pleased with how it has worked out.”
Nurse John was one of the first to take advantage of this incentive. The new vehicle, she says, has increased her overall work output and productivity and has positively impacted her quality of life and that of her family.
“No, I would not have been able to get the latest now, if the concession had not been available and in terms of what it has provided to the frontline workers. It was amazing to see that you were able to easily, through organizations and the assistance they provided, access to finance for payments and also to be able to say you have something that belongs to you.”
The Chief Economist noted that despite the significant loss of government revenue resulting from this initiative, the government has been pleased with the outcome for all stakeholders.
“Just shy of EC$7 million has been forgone in duties related to the initiative. So, it means that there was quite a bit of uptake and while the state recognizes that is a sizeable sum of money, particularly in this environment, I think it treated a need, and the department is pleased that we were able to satisfy that need and also show some gratitude to the sacrifices that our frontliners have made. So it is a sizable sum but we recognized the need and the department always tries to work with each of the stakeholders and ensure that we get through this pandemic. We are hoping to turn the corner, as it were, in the near future.”
Nurse John encourages all frontline workers who are in a position to do so to take advantage of the concession provided by the government to purchase a reliable vehicle. The concession was extended by the Government of Saint Lucia but is due to end in September 2022. – Glen Simon