Government Committed to Securing Jobs of Cable & Wireless Workers

Contact: Roger Joseph

Tuesday, February 13, 2001 – The Government of Saint Lucia is committed to ensuring that Cable & Wireless workers will not be displaced should a new entity take over the company’s holdings in St. Lucia.  At least two ministers of government have given that assurance in the latest word on the company’s planned pull out from St. Lucia.

Attorney General Petrus Compton says that a top priority for the government has always been the provision of jobs for St. Lucians.  That is why the government has pursued the establishment of call centres as a viable means of diversifying the economy and providing high levels of employment.  He noted that the Government of Saint Lucia had been pleading with Cable & Wireless to invest in call centres for years, but there had been little support for the initiative.  Despite the company’s objections, he added, government would continue to stand firm on the development of call centres.

In the same vein, the Attorney General noted, the government is taking, and has taken, necessary steps to secure the future of the workers at Cable & Wireless, should the company decide not to operate within the liberalised telecommunications environment the governments of the OECS are trying to establish.  In that respect, there is legislation that guarantees continuity should the company be sold, leased or transferred, he said.

Additionally, according to Senator Compton, the Prime Minister has met with Cable & Wireless and has established a change management team comprising representatives of the Government of Saint Lucia and Cable & Wireless that will oversee a smooth transition to the new entity, which will take over from Cable & Wireless, in the event that it becomes necessary.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Search for 2001 Press Releases ] [Site Help]

© 2001 Government Information Service. All rights reserved.

Read our privacy guidelines.