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Government issues warning ahead of budget presentation

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony is warning of the difficult task ahead as he gets ready to present his administration’s budget statement to Parliament later on Friday. As debate on the estimates began on Thursday, Anthony, who is also finance minister, said the fiscal deficit was at least nine per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and noted that for the first time since the island attained political independence from Britain in 1979, the fiscal package has been reduced to reflect a serious downturn in the local economy.

St Lucia launches sports tourism programme

LONDON (CMC) -Saint Lucia has launched its 2013 Sports Tourism Programme by unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the country’s sub-sector. They include TriStLucia 2013, the island’s inaugural Triathlon event an initiative with London Olympic Triathlon Race organiser John Lunt and athletics legend Daley Thomson For the first time, the island will also host the inaugural Sports in Black and White Conference and Youth Forum in June.

Plans for tighter electoral laws; as new parliamentary session opens

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The St. Lucia government will table legislation that will make it mandatory for potential candidates in a general election to declare whether or not they are in possession of a passport from another country. Dame Pearlette Louisy, delivering the traditional Throne Speech at the start of a new session of the St.

Opposition leader calls for removal of VAT on medication

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC-Leader of the Opposition Stephenson King has written to Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, concerning the long-standing issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) on medication.
In a letter, King brought to the attention of the prime minister the number of citizens who complain about their inability to purchase medication in a timely manner due to the additional burden brought on by the tax.

Civil Servants agree to wage proposal

CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC---Civil Servants have ended their battle with government for a 9.5 per cent wage increase, with a stunning decision to settle for a wage freeze. After a heated extra-ordinary meeting Wednesday most of the over 400 members of the Civil Service Association (CSA) voted in favour of a 0.00 per cent wage proposal. The decision to forgo the increase followed the President's report that the Government’s Negotiating Team (GNT) was sticking to 4 per cent as its final wage offer, in addition to refusing the requested allowances.

Prominent author/researcher dies

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – One of the authors of the history of St. Lucia , Robert Devaux has died after a short battle with cancer. He was 79. Devaux, a field engineer by profession, spent his lifetime the history, ecology, landscape and culture of St Lucia. He served as director of the St. Lucia National Trust and wrote and published several books and articles, including the monumental St Lucia Historic Sites (1975).

Legislators to debate estimates of expenditure and revenue next week

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The St. Lucia government will present the estimates of revenue and expenditure to Parliament next week. A government statement said that the presentation will follow the ceremonial opening of Parliament on April 24 when Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy will deliver the traditional Throne speech outlining the government’s programmes for the 12 months. The estimates will be debated on April 25 and 26.

ST. LUCIA-LABOUR-Strike costs Government over EC$3 million

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC- The three week old strike by Civil Servants has cost the country well over EC$3 million, according to Cabinet Secretary Darryl Montrope.

The Government started to assess the financial cost of the work stoppage, when the strike came to a halt on Tuesday.
According to Montrope, preliminary figures for the Customs Department alone indicate that the Government lost over EC$2 million in revenue at an average of EC$200,000 a day.

Civil servants vote to end strike

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - Civil Servants were returning to their jobs on Tuesday after voting on Monday to end a near three week strike in support of demands for higher wages.
Their decision to end the strike will also allow their union – the Civil Service Association (CSA) to return to the bargaining table with the government negotiating team (GNT) that had earlier indicated it would not be prepared to resume negotiations until the workers end their crippling strike action.

Civil Servants denied permission to march

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC-A planned protest march by Civil Servants failed to materialise on Thursday, as organisers were not granted Police permission to take to the streets.
Acting Police Commissioner Errol Alexander said in planning their march the Civil Service Association did not conform with the Public Order Act, which requires that permission be sought three days ahead of  a march.
He also said the organisers did not indicate in their letter the number of persons expected to participate in the march as required by the legislation.

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