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Basseterre, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS, February 23, 2024 (Press Secretary, PMO) – In a brief yet significant presentation, Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew appointed Ms. Jahzara Claxton, a professional cricketer and footballer, as the Youth Board Member on the Violence as a Public Health Perspective Committee. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Sports et al, the Honourable Samal Duggins, and His Excellency Kenneth Douglas, Ambassador to the Ministry of Sports. Also present were Jahzara Claxton’s proud parents, Ms. Ika Francis and Mr. Frank Claxton. Ms. Jahzara Claxton, a remarkable athlete, is renowned as a member of the…

Press Release  Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 22, 2024 – The Department of Agriculture in St. Kitts has captured the interest of international stakeholders with its innovative initiatives, as Mr. Louis Petersen, the Commissioner Designee of the Department of Agriculture of the US Virgin Islands, expresses admiration for the department’s work and seeks collaboration opportunities.  The groundbreaking agricultural practices implemented in St. Kitts, particularly building out cooperatives and implementing covered structures for production, have drawn praise from Mr. Petersen. Recognizing potential synergies between the two regions, Mr. Petersen is eager to explore avenues for partnership and knowledge exchange to further enhance agricultural development.  Minister…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 22, 2024 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis will observe its 2nd Annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The Federal observance was introduced last year to establish an annual day where the country pauses to acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Ecclesiastical and Faith-based Affairs, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, called on the nation to fast on Wednesday, February 28, the eve of the annual observance. “You choose your hours to fast,” he said, noting that some persons are already doing so as part of Lent, which commemorates the 40 days…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 22, 2024 (SKNIS): During her presentation in the National Assembly on February 22, 2024, Minister of Labour, the Honourable Marsha Henderson, supported the Housing and Social Development Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which is a BILL to amend the Housing and Social Development Levy Act, Cap. 20.21 and for related matters. “The Act we propose be amended in Section three (3), subsection two (2), subparagraph A, to read, in the case of an employee whose wages are up to $23,400 or $450 per week, that there be zero (0) percent deduction by the employee and three (3)…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 22, 2024 (SKNIS) – Through the passage of significant amendments to the Housing and Social Development Levy Act on Thursday (February 22, 2024), the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has added yet another layer of protection to persons who earn minimum wage. The Housing and Social Development Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was moved in the National Assembly by the Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Social Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew. The amendments reflected one of the recommendations made by the National Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, headed by former Deputy Prime Minister, Ambassador His…

SAINT CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS ________________________________ STATUTORY RULES AND ORDERS No. of 2024 ________________________________ RESOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF SAINT CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS TO APPROVE THE LABOUR (MINIMUM WAGE) ACT (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) ORDER NO. 1 OF 2024 ________________________________ WHEREAS it is provided by section 3(1) of the Labour (Minimum Wage) Act, Cap. 18.19, that the Minister with responsibility for Labour may, on considering the recommendations of any Advisory Committee appointed under the provisions of section 2 of the Act and with the advice of the Cabinet, make an Order prescribing the minimum rates of wages…

SAINT CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS________________________________STATUTORY RULES AND ORDERSNo. of 2024________________________________RESOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLYOF SAINT CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS APPROVINGRECOMMENDATIONS OF SALARIES REVIEW COMMISSION________________________________ WHEREAS the Salaries Review Commission was established pursuant to the Salaries Review Commission Act Cap. 22.14 to review the salaries and other conditions of service of the Governor-General, Members of the National Assembly, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Prime Minister, Ministers of Government, Attorney General and the Leader of the Opposition (“Senior Parliamentary Officials”) every three years, and to make recommendations to the Government accordingly;AND WHEREAS the Salaries Review…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 22, 2024 (SKNIS) – During the February 22, 2024, Sitting of the National Assembly, Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, gave a comprehensive update on the Pension Reform Task Force that is charged with advancing the work on the Contributory Pension Plan. The Contributory Pension Plan, first announced by Prime Minister Drew in his 2024 Budget Address, entails a three (3) percent pension contribution. It is specifically designed for all Government Auxiliary Employees (GAE) and those employed by the government since May 18, 2012. Prime Minister Drew indicated that the Pension Reform Task Force continues…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 22, 2024 (SKNIS): The Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, announced during today’s (February 20) Sitting of National Assembly that the Federation is on the verge of adopting a groundbreaking new Procurement Act. This initiative, developed with the support of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), aims to overhaul the current procurement system to ensure transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity. According to AG Wilkin, the proposed Procurement Act, which is in the final stages of preparation, combines the best practices from model legislation across the region. This…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 22, 2024 (SKNIS) – The first group of individuals has successfully completed phase one of training under the ELEVATE Programme, and as such will be part of the first cohort of graduates from the pioneering initiative that is aimed at empowering marginalised and at-risk individuals. This was highlighted by Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew during the February 22, 2024, Sitting of the National Assembly under the section ‘Statement by Ministers’. “In the second week of January, a successful Training of Trainers was conducted with a diverse cohort from the…