By Admin. Updated 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has again called on the remaining workers affected by the Statutory Rules & Order (SR&O) No. 28 of 2021, known as the vaccine mandate, to return to work, adding that their benefits will be intact.
“Speaking on radio earlier today, Dr. Gonsalves said the majority of public servants who had not taken the vaccine have returned to work, with all their benefits intact, even while going ahead with legal action against the state, the the Office of the Prime Minister reported today.
“Of course, the overwhelming majority of the front-line workers complied with the vaccine requirement,” the release stated.
“Any public servant including teacher, nurse, doctor, police officer, who has not yet returned to work can still avail themselves of the opportunity to return to work. All you have to do is to indicate to the Chief Personnel Officer that you wish to return to work. You will be returned to work without any loss whatsoever of your pension rights. These would be added to what pension rights you have after you have returned to work” Dr. Gonsalves said, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal today, ruled in favour of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Government in the “COVID-19 Vaccine Case”.
“The Prime Minister noted that today’s judgement handed down by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, in favour of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is an opportunity for dialogue and healing,” the Office of the Prime Minister said.
“I am asking that small group which didn’t come back, to please, come back. Let us be united and put this matter behind us…you can return to work and continue your case,” Dr. Gonsalves explained.
“The Prime Minister insisted that the vaccine requirement was put in place to protect the lives of all Vincentians at a time of a serious Public Health Emergency,” the Office of the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gonsalves told SVGTV in an interview today (February 12), that the government is not gloating over this victory at the Court of Appeal. We’ll never do that. We wanted to be sure that everyone will know, not for our only for our government, but any succeeding government, what can be done by the authorities during a public health emergency. And there are going to be more public health emergencies too where climate change is going and the movement of peoples across the world.
Persons who have come back, who had not taken the vaccine after the public health emergency was over. They will have their benefits which had been accumulated before.
All the preexisting pension benefits, plus what they’re now acquiring will be aggregated together upon their retirement. I’ve said that over and over again, and that still remains as I talk to you today after the court of appeal has made the decision, handed down decision in favor of the government. I want to see and and and you can pursue your case all the way to the Privy Council, the prime minister added.
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