More than 300 Saint Lucian households each received a one-time $1500 payment as part of the post-COVID Income Support Programme.
Since disbursements began on December 23, 2023, more than $450,000 has been paid out to more than 300 households. Each recipient was paid before Christmas Day!
Thousands in the informal sector lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of these informal workers slipped through the cracks and did not benefit from previous income support programmes.
Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre leads a Cabinet of Ministers and a government committed to developing strategies to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable.
Disbursements for the Income Support Programme will continue into the New Year!
SOURCE: Office of the Prime Minister
oh boy watch people spend dat money in the season….st lucians be wise please…..secondly mr. PM did u ever state that covid was the criteria for people to receive that $1500 a long time ago?
More gimmicks… From I never said that…to I’m keeping an election promise. We see right through this creative vote buying in the guise of income support.
Only labour supporters dat get dat
So what ti.boutic government..that’s why you keep winning elections blind folded your people boss man..st lucians not only Christmas your mouth open too eat never never see a bunch of people like lucians..no wonder people flying from that country sad
Now that you’ve been paid, you know who to vote for; the Roads are still in a deplorable state; the Modern Hospital in the South, I guess will never be built; the hospital was meant to serve the people, and not for any card carrying political membership except of course, if hatred alone is the cause for the stop
At it’s core, there’s something patronizing and insulting of the governance of this labour matter. Their policies seem geared at keeping people dependant on them. Like they are some great benefactors. They deal with handouts as opposed to having a 3-5 year strategic plan that they are putting into place. This ti boutique handout style of government creates people who remain dependent on politicians for a bread.
Let’s do better and teach out people to fish! Even tax return before Christmas. Yes happy that returns are being paid ( Although despite my name being on the list I was told it wasn’t ready) but why before Christmas. Why not instead a comprehensive plan that every year $20 million is allocated for returns payout and then we address the inefficiencies at IRD. No, systematic improvements like these are not sexy. They do not create persons who are “grateful” that their own money is given out to them right before Christmas.
It’s this mentality that I find truly offensive and insulting!
Why do governments and civil service organizations like to pretend and act as if they are doing us a favour by disbursing money from their pockets.
This is taxpayers money you take from them and pass back to the society – AFTER you have taken the majority for your family and friends and now foreigners. What a laugh!
So you “give” $450,000 but you all spend over $1,500,000 on airline tickets alone. And the roads mashing up cars, the gas tax bleeding pockets, we cannot get jobs, and every other night is a gunshot in the community.
300 when we know poverty affecting at least 20,000! Now we know why Hillaire always have that wicked smile on his face with his dead eyes showing his true colours!
Hahahaha! All UWPs dèwò. 😂😂😂😂😂. Great stuff Mr. PM. Don’t be detracted by them.
That is a bold face lie… Ministry of Equity has been at their Social Transformation Officers to go look for people to get the $1500. They know that no one qualifies for this $1500 but they want persons to apply just to get rejected. There is also a process where they have to do all kinds of checks to make sure what is in the application is true…
So again THAT IS A BOLD FACE LIE
Haha, you people are not serious!!
St. Lucia is a weird place. I never thought I’d read comments disgusted at income support for those negatively impacted by COVID-19 who had not yet received income support. I mean, it’s either the commentators are ignorant or playing politics.
@disgustedyouth, governments have a social responsibility to support their citizens during times of economic distress. Every government I can think of, including the mighty USA, provided income support in direct checks to its citizens during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns and afterward. This assistance is not about creating dependency but rather ensuring that vulnerable individuals have a safety net to fall back on when needed. It is a solid plan of support and a continuation of what the UWP started with its income support. In fact, the PM’s statement that he would give more income support to citizens (instead of building roads) is centered on the reality that governments have a social responsibility.
A comprehensive plan – I hear the UWP talk about this often. It sounds nice, but in reality, income support is a plan. And in a country with a high unemployment rate and record-high inflation, there is a pressing need to address the immediate financial challenges the population faces. The government did not decide on this action on Monday and rolled it out on Tuesday. A comprehensive plan, as suggested, might take time to implement, and people require assistance sooner rather than later.
@disgustedyouth, implementing systematic improvements at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) may be a worthwhile long-term goal, but addressing inefficiencies can be a complex process that requires time and resources. In the meantime, providing timely support can alleviate some of the burdens faced by taxpayers. You can’t fix complex inefficiencies and, in the process, not support your citizens.
@Ant, while some may view income support as handouts, others may genuinely appreciate the government’s efforts to help them during difficult times. Gratitude for government support is not necessarily a sign of dependency but rather an acknowledgment of the assistance provided. Is it fair to suggest that the government is making people dependent on them, especially when you consider the Youth Economy and the hundreds of young people who have been helped to start their businesses? In the happiest countries of the world, the government taxes a lot and provides social support to all citizens. If you ever travel, visit Scandinavian countries. In fact, St Lucian’s are typically big government people who rely on the government for everything. It’s in our culture and history.
You people crack me up!
@Lucian Traveller Would love to engage you as I agree with some of your points. However, addressing inefficiencies at a minimum requires a plan. The payouts should be part of said plan and not the standalone solution to payout at Christmas.
I am all for income support; however, Covid was two years ago and by all indications persons most impacted are slowly getting back on their feet. As an observer, I honestly prefer an approach that said money is used to stimulate employment which helps the vulnerable while also creating value. AKA using some loan funds to build roads during Covid. People get employment and finance, we get roads and we find some means of assisting the most vulnerable among us. Elderly etc.
Some people will never be satisfied. Provide income support then they say “it’s patronizing’ or “they have people being dependent” on them. Others will come out the woodwork and talk about “they only benefitting” some and not others. What, y’all afraid to commend good when good is done? Give me a break. The government has done well is providing the income support to the most vulnerable. So what y’all need to do is go inform people whom you know who need the help of the extended period so they too can benefit. And stop y’all nonsense. 😡😡😡
Pjp we want our income tax return money…….when we owe IRD is now 4 now …..and u there giving money pi sec …… its my money and i need it NOW!!!!!!