Lindsay Grant – PAM Candidate
Basseterre, St.Kitts – Nevis
People’s Action Movements
November 03, 2009
Leader of the Opposition People’s Action Movement , PAM, Lindsay Grant noted, “The People’s Action Movement is extremely disturbed that for the past 14 years, government’s respect for civil servants have deteriorated significantly to the extent whereby the employer who is the government seems not to be caring and understanding of the challenges and difficulties that workers are faced with.”
The effect, Grant noted, is that workers’ rights, basic human rights “¦ are severely undermined and often denied to civil servants. “This is the challenge that we now face, we shall never be bystanders,” Grant said, notwithstanding difficulties created by those who now occupy offices through the struggles, sacrifice and success of working class action and achievement.
Grant reiterated his party’s call for the workers to be rejuvenated as the party seeks to enter the reins of government so as to move forward in unifying the various political parties.
“Whether they are PAM, Labour, UNEP, or even from the Rastafarian Party, we welcome them all as a PAM administration will ensure that the rights of all are protected regardless of one’s political affiliation,” Grant declared.
Meanwhile,People’s Action Movement (PAM) shadow minister for Labour, Roy Fleming is of the view that civil servants in St. Kitts/Nevis are now in a vulnerable position in spite of certain constitutional provisions protecting their rights as the Douglas-led administration has and continues to undermine these sacred values.
Fleming said although there are a number of institutions and organisations that protect the rights of civil servants, the government has undermined these sacred values noting that the Federation’s civil servants are now placed in a vulnerable position to the extent that many are faced with countless and numerous challenges.
“Institutions constitutionally responsible for protecting fundamental rights have been unable to ensure the protection of these rights for our members,” Fleming said.
Fleming said there continues to be the arbitrary abuse of authority in imposing conditions of service which are to be negotiated based on existing legally binding agreements.
Fleming joined his Leader Mr. Grant in expressing his party’s intended policy of rejuvenating the civil service by encouraging them through ensuring the rights of all employees regardless of political affiliation.
“The unification of supporters of all parties for the common good of the country is going to be one of the hallmarks of a new Lindsay Grant led PAM administration,” said Fleming .