PM Douglas Speaks To Women In Labour Party
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
May 27, 2008 (CUOPM)
Former female sugar workers have been praised for purchasing government shares in Cable and Wireless (St. Kitts and Nevis) Limited and investing in Treasury Bills.
Addressing women attending a Labour Women Conference at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort last Saturday, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas challenged the women to mould their children into productive citizens in the twin-island Federation.
Dr. Douglas, who is also the National Political Leader of the governing St. Kitts – Nevis Labour Party said scores of women in the Federation were recently challenged by the closure of the centuries-old sugar industry and are now active participants in the creation and expansion of the new economy.
He said former sugar workers have now become small crop, vegetable and livestock farmers and owners of small businesses.
Dr. Douglas praised those women who rejected the advice of the current political leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Mr. Lindsay Grant, who told them not to let the Labour Administration tell them how to spend their redundancy money from the closure of the sugar industry.
“I am proud of those women who were former sugar workers and who have invested in Treasury Bills. I am proud of those women who are former sugar workers, who have bought the government shares in Cable & Wireless,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who reminded the women that his government brought in professionals to provide counsel and conducted several re-training programmes for the former sugar workers.
Prime Minister Douglas also urged the Women of Labour to ensure that their children make use of the education and job opportunities made available by his administration.
He called on the women, many of them who head the household to control their children.
“Know where you children are and take time out for them Spend time with them. Pray with them. Read with them and assist them in their school work. Mould them so that they can become the young men and women of the future and the productive citizens and leaders that this country will need,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who spoke of the initiatives taken by his government to reduce the coast of living and empower women through several training programmes.