Over 3,000 Saint Lucians are set to begin work next week under the latest cycle of the Short-Term Employment Program (STEP), the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) announced yesterday.
The five-day initiative, which runs from Monday, Aug. 3, to Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, will focus on secondary roads in various communities around the island in the initial stage.
The program is a pre-emptive and strategic intervention of clearing road verges, drains, culverts, and water channels in communities, “all in an effort to improve motorist visibility, reduce mosquito breeding grounds, reduce the possibility of flooding, and improve community aesthetics,” the SSDF said.
Residents and motorists are urged to exercise caution and cooperate with crews throughout the week.
The STEP Program has garnered varying reviews from a cross section of the local society. It has been reported that the emergence of the program was born out of a desire to stimulate the local economy, effectively execute valuable cleaning projects and provide temporary jobs for citizens seeking employment.
While only temporary, the program has proven to be considerably popular with those who have participate in it.
The budget for the program was not readily available for this new edition of the initiative.