By S.Browne. Updated 1:15 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The Nurses Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has issued a statement responding to an article published in the St. Vincent Times on March 2, 2026, which reported that Camillo Gonsalves had heard the five percent tax-free supplement for nurses was not paid in January and February 2026, and called on the Association to seek clarity on its status.
In its statement, the Nurses Association clarified that the five percent supplement had been introduced as a temporary, time-bound measure to provide short-term financial relief, while discussions on upgrading and reclassifying nursing posts were ongoing. The Association emphasized that the supplement was never announced as a permanent benefit.
The statement noted that during previous Independence Addresses, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, former Prime Minister, announced the introduction and extension of the supplement: first during the 2023 Independence Address, effective January 2024 for an initial six-month period, and later during the 2024 Independence Address, when the payment was extended through December 31, 2025. In 2025, the only additional incentive announced for nurses was a one-off, tax-free Christmas Cost of Living Allowance equivalent to three percent of an employee’s salary for a three-month period.
The Nurses Association also highlighted that midwives attached to the Division of Nursing Education had not received a previously announced allowance for midwives, and that attempts to address this matter with the Ministry of Finance were not acknowledged.
The President of the Nurses Association, Shelly-Ann Alexander-Ross, reiterated that the Association remains committed to advocating for improved working conditions, fair compensation, and professional recognition for nurses. She said the Association will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders in the best interest of its members and the broader healthcare system of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
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