St. Kitts & Nevis Retraining the Sugar Workers

On 30 July 2005, the sugar industry in St. Kitts and Nevis was closed resulting in the release of over one thousand workers, a figure that represents approximately twelve percent of the labour force. While basic services such as medical care, housing programmes for the more disadvantaged, and pension schemes will be supported by the government, programmes are also being put in place for retraining and retooling the displaced workers to enhance their marketability and to position them for re-entry into the general work force. This initiative aims to support, re-skill, and prepare the former employees of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC) for employment in the new growth sectors of the economy including tourism, telecommunications and information technology