Opposition Leader Godwin Friday says the New Democratic Party (NDP) remains committed to reinstating public sector workers who lost their jobs under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate despite Wednesday’s Court of Appeal ruling upholding the government’s decision.
In a video post on Facebook after the decision was handed down, Friday said that the NDP has said that regardless of the court ruling, “choosing to fire people was the wrong thing to do” and an NDP administration would reinstate the workers.
“That position hasn’t changed because of the Court of Appeal’s decision,” Friday said.
“We will continue to honour that commitment because we believe it’s the right thing to do. … those workers who are fired under the government’s vaccine mandate, under an NDP government, they will be reinstated with all their benefits intact.”
He noted that this was the party’s position before the High Court ruled in favour of the workers in March 2023.
“And it’s the same decision that we have maintained following the ruling of the Court of Appeal this morning.
“We believe that is the fair, just and right thing to do, and we as a party, following the next general election, will reinstate those workers and put them back in the position they were in before they were fired by the government.”
General elections are widely expected by November, ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline.
The Ralph Gonsalves-led Unity Labour Party will seek a sixth consecutive term in office, while Friday will make his second attempt to lead to victory the NDP, which has been in opposition since 2001.
“… the point is this, the people all over the country are saying that these people who are fired, that is, the teachers, the public servants, the police officers, that this should not have been done and that they should end this legal proceedings and put the people back in their jobs,” the opposition leader said.
“What is so hard in that to do? That is the right thing to do. Sometimes, you get a decision from the court that you may say is legal, but you have to look at all the circumstances and say, ‘What is the right thing to do in these circumstances?’ And the right thing is to put the people back in the job,” Friday said.
“And that is what we will do as a New Democratic Party. This requires a political solution now, and that is the solution that we will render for the people who will continue to suffer because of the government’s draconian policy to fire them.”
Meanwhile, in a press statement also on Wednesday, the NDP said it was “extremely disappointed” with the ruling by the Court of Appeal.
“This is a sad outcome for the hardworking public servants, teachers, nurses, doctors and police officers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines who lost their jobs because of the government’s vaccine mandate,” the party said.
“Today is not the time for the government to gloat; it is a solemn day. Lives and livelihoods have been irreparably damaged by the government’s vaccine mandate policy. However, as the Court of Appeal has ruled in the government’s favour, the policy continues.”
The NDP said it believes that every worker deserves the right to choose what is best for their health without losing their job.
“We stand in solidarity with those who have been affected by this mandate and will continue to advocate for their interests,” the party said, adding that the government has repeatedly been given the opportunity to do the right thing but failed to do so.
“Notwithstanding the Court’s ruling, we call on Prime Minister Gonsalves and his government to end the hardship of the affected workers by reinstating them immediately with full benefits,” the party said.
“Further, we wish to reiterate our Party’s commitment that an NDP government would reinstate all affected workers with all benefits intact. We are committed to creating a fair and just workplace for everyone. Together we can build a brighter future for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”