BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Former Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Earl Asim Martin has applauded the continued leadership of former Prime Minister and now Leader of the Opposition the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas for the pressure he brought to bear on the Timothy Harris-led PLP/CCM/PAM Government into paying civil servants an extra month’s salary in December.
“Dr. Douglas made the first call in September as a result of the tremendous financial hardship imposed by Dr Harris in his capacity as minister of financed when he imposed several taxes during this year despite a No Tax Budget in December of last year,” said Dr. Martin on Wednesday “Issues” programme.
On Wednesday, West Basseterre Parliamentary Representative, Hon. Konris Maynard demanded that PEP workers be paid an additional four weeks wages in December.
After two postponements of the announcement on Saturday night and a meeting of the National Assembly on Friday, Dr. Harris agreed to give public servants a double salary in December.
“As you walk the streets, as you go into the business places, the people and the businessmen and women are saying ‘this has been the most difficult period they have experienced,’ and even in the previous years with the world’s financial and economic crisis, ‘things were not as bad as this,” said Dr. Martin.
He said the Labour Government under the astute and visionary leadership of then Prime Minister Douglas was able to manage the economy by implementing measures which not only led to the growth in the economy but at the same time improved he lives of the people.
“That is why the Labour Government had a growth rate of seven percent in 2013 and in 2014. Today Prime Minister Harris who promised to do better is presiding over an economy which is in decline and could fall to three percent this year,” said Dr. Martin, who pointed out the continued deception of the prime minster in boasting of a “good economy” which is in decline and expected to drop to three percent.
“If under Labour the economy grew by 7 percent and under the Harris government the growth rate is three percent, it shows a worsening economy, an economy in decline,” said Dr. Martin, who said the various sectors of the economy are hurting.
“Just talk to the building contractors, talk to the builders, the masons and ask them when was the last time they get a job. They are looking for jobs and cannot get any. The economy is presently under severe stress and there is great concern for next year and the future under this non performing government. There is no light at the end of the tunnel,” said Dr. Martin.