Minister of National Security St Clair Leacock on Monday confirmed that bonuses will be paid by the end of the month (January), but clarified that this payment is not a “double salary” for everyone,.
He noted that the term “double salary” had caused confusion and explained that the government’s approach is driven by a desire for equity rather than perpetuating existing wage inequalities,.
Leacock said that a strict double salary system is unfair because it awards high earners (e.g., those making $6,000–$8,000) a massive amount while low earners (e.g., those making $1,000) receive very little.
Instead, the government is seeking a “midpoint” to ensure the bonus is motivating. He explained that for some workers, the bonus will be greater than their monthly salary, while for higher earners, it will be less than their salary.
He stated explicitly that the primary reason for the bonus is the administration’s view that “salary levels in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are too low” and highlighted the “multiplier effect,” noting that putting money into people’s hands stimulates the economy because they will spend it.
Leacock framed the bonus as part of a shift toward “putting the money where the pain is” rather than focusing solely on infrastructure (“bricks and mortar”).
He connected this financial relief to national security, arguing that happier, more comfortable families are more likely to comply with social norms. He concluded this point by quipping, “You can’t make love and [have a] hungry belly”