THE government’s latest pension reform is a staggering affront to the dignity and intelligence of the St. Lucian people. The paltry increase in the minimum monthly pension to $725, benefiting a mere 148 government pensioners, is a cynical and calculated attempt to buy votes while callously abandoning thousands of others to struggle in poverty. This so-called “reform” is a shameful display of political opportunism, designed to distract from the government’s egregious failures and broken promises.
The government’s tokenistic increase is a mere drop in the ocean, leaving the vast majority of pensioners to face the harsh realities of poverty and financial insecurity. This meager handout is an insult to the hardworking citizens who have dedicated their lives to contributing to the nation’s growth and development. The government’s refusal to provide a meaningful increase in the pension is a stark reminder of their disregard for the welfare of their citizens.
While I support the idea of raising the minimum pension, $725 per month, is wholly inadequate considering the government’s inaction in addressing the crippling effects of high inflation. The government has imposed a compounding 2.5% Health & Security Levy, increased bus fares, and allowed the prices of staple foods like bread, flour, and rice to skyrocket. Furthermore, they have kept gas, diesel and cooking gas prices exorbitantly high despite collecting record excise taxes on petroleum products. It is unconscionable that the government has not taken concrete steps to mitigate the impact of these economic hardships on its citizens. A truly livable pension would have been a meaningful response to these challenges, but instead, the government has chosen to offer a paltry increase that barely scratches the surface of the problem.
This government’s s track record is replete with broken promises and unfulfilled commitments. They have consistently failed to deliver on their election promises, leaving the people of St. Lucia to suffer the consequences of their incompetence. This pension reform is just the latest in a long line of betrayals, and it is time for the people to demand accountability from their leaders.
The people of St. Lucia deserve better than this shameful display of political opportunism. We demand a comprehensive pension reform that benefits all, not just a few. We demand a government that prioritizes the welfare of all of its citizens. We demand accountability and transparency from our leaders, and we will no longer tolerate their broken promises and deceit. It is time for this government to take responsibility for their failures and to work towards a pension reform that truly benefits the people of St. Lucia. Anything less is unacceptable.