1st National Bank Employees Asked to Return to Work

Saint Lucia’s Labour Commissioner has penned a letter requiring 1st National Bank employees who participated in protests last week to return to work on Monday. Mr. Joseph Joseph addressed the October 11, 2024, letter to National Workers Union (NWU) Secretary General Johann Harewood. The document noted that while there was no resolution, a meeting, including the Minister of Labour, is tentatively scheduled for October 29. According to a spokesperson, the 1st National Bank employee protests were over “increment adjustments” related to an agreement after RBC acquired the financial institution. Protesters expressed frustration over the Bank’s alleged decision not to fulfill its commitment to compensate staff for an increased workload. Former Economic Development Minister Guy Joseph voiced his support for the protesting workers during an opposition United Workers Party Town Hall meeting in Vieux Fort South, emphasising the importance of fair pay. “I want the workers of the Bank to know that we stand with them for their rights to fair pay. We cannot allow the workers of this country to continue to suffer!” Joseph, the first deputy leader of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), stated. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre referred to the 1st National Bank situation at Monday’s...