Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has launched a direct critique against the leadership of the Mustique Company, accusing the firm of systematically recruiting “white people from Europe” and the United Kingdom for senior management positions, thereby creating an artificial “glass ceiling” against qualified Vincentian nationals.
Speaking on Star Radio broadcast, Gonsalves clarified that while he is not accusing management of racism or expressing anti-British sentiment, he is highlighting the objective reality of an increasing reliance on European and British expatriates over capable local professionals.
Gonsalves stated that since the recent change of government, the company’s management has accelerated the importation of foreign workers from “Caucasian territory” and non-Vincentian regions to fill technical and managerial roles.
Gonsalves noted that executive and supervisory tiers are increasingly populated by “hired hands who come from overseas almost entirely white people from Europe”. Explaining his phrasing, he remarked: “I’m not saying that they’re racist. I’m just describing the fact of white… I’m not anti-British. I’m just saying that they are British”.
He criticized the attitude of certain imported supervisors toward local employees, observing that some overseas hires act condescendingly under the mistaken belief “that because they have a white skin that somehow that give them greater affinity to the homeowners”. Gonsalves explicitly contrasted these imported managers with the island’s wealthy international homeowners, whom he commended for treating local staff with respect and showing no racial or class contempt.
He pointed out significant pay gaps, noting that foreign hires from the UK and Europe receive higher salaries as well as housing allowances that are routinely withheld from Vincentian candidates applying for identical positions.
Gonsalves cited several concrete examples where qualified Vincentians were either sidelined or face potential displacement by overseas recruits.
Highlighting an upcoming managerial appointment at Air Adelphi, the company’s aviation subsidiary operating twin-engine aircraft, Gonsalves noted that two local aviators, Gregory Williams and Everett Bess, applied for the top role. Despite their extensive civil aviation experience, Gonsalves stated that management plans to import an individual from the UK who cannot match the local captains’ capabilities. He urged Prime Minister Godwin Friday to intervene and deny a work permit for the foreign applicant.
Gonsalves referenced Paul Cyrus, describing him as a highly skilled national who managed Atley Hall before joining the Mustique Company, only to be set aside in favor of an overseas hire brought in from the UK.
Recalling his time as Prime Minister, Gonsalves noted that he previously blocked a work permit for a UK candidate to ensure local accountant Steven Joachim was promoted to Financial Controller. Looking ahead to Joachim’s retirement, Gonsalves advocated for Sabrina Brewster Dixon, a senior Vincentian finance and auditing professional to succeed him, calling for her to become the first woman and first visibly Black woman to serve as Financial Controller for the company.
Gonsalves called on the government and the Ministry of Labour to enforce national employment laws firmly by refusing work permits for foreign applicants whenever qualified Vincentians are available.
He asserted that he will continue to monitor employment practices on Mustique to ensure local workers are protected from unfair career barriers and workplace marginalization.
