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 official clarity regarding the matter.
In its statement, the 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. It also commended the previous administration for introducing the measure, noting that it provided meaningful recognition and financial relief to nurses, nursing assistants, and nursing aides.
The Association highlighted that it found it somewhat ironic that concerns were now being raised about possible nurse migration due to the discontinuation of the supplement. The statement added that this concern was not new, after a St. Vincent Times article reported that Gonsalves had warned the removal of the incentive could lead to a “flight of nurses” to countries such as the United Kingdom or Canada. “The previous administration was well aware of the longstanding migration challenges within the nursing profession,” the statement said.
The Association also highlighted that midwives attached to the Division of Nursing Education had not received a previously announced allowance, and that several attempts to address this matter with the Ministry of Finance were not acknowledged.
The statement provided background on the introduction of the supplement during previous Independence Addresses. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, former Prime Minister, announced the measure during the 2023 Independence Address, effective January 2024 for an initial six-month period. It was later extended during the 2024 Independence Address, with payments continuing 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.
In closing, 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, including equitable treatment for all midwives.
END
One News SVG 