NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (September 04, 2024)- Less than two years since the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM)-led Nevis Island Administration (NIA) introduced a retirement package for its NonEstablished (NE) Workers in the public service and some 80 persons have already received over four million dollars in benefits. “I feel particularly proud as Premier of Nevis that I and the Cabinet that I lead were able to come up with a plan…that sought to give our NonEstablished Workers some comfort, some dignity, and has allowed them to proceed into retirement with something in their pockets and an expectation of some payment on a monthly basis,” said Premier the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Finance and Human Resources, at his recently held monthly press conference.
“We have so far benefited some 80 Non-Established Workers under this scheme introduced by this Administration and so far, we have paid out to those workers some 4.1 million dollars in gratuity.” According to the Premier, the data provided was as at July 2024. He further informed that the NIA is currently paying around $82,390 per month or $988,680 per annum in pension benefits to NE Workers.
The NIA took the decision to implement the NE Workers retirement benefits package in September 2022. Prior to that NE Workers would have retired empty-handed after working for decades in the public service.
“I want the public to understand that this was a significant financial commitment by the NIA. Many people have talked about it. There has been chatter about doing something better for NE workers for years. This government has delivered,” Premier Brantley stated. – LOCAL NEWS – The NIA’s NE Workers pension scheme is non-contributory, therefore no monies were deducted from workers’ salaries to provide for this financial cushion in their senior years. 7
contributions, Taiwan is situated along crucial shipping routes, making it integral to international trade and commerce. Despite these contributions, Taiwan remains outside the UN, largely due to longstanding political pressures.
Including Taiwan in the UN isn’t about taking sides; it’s about recognizing the reality of its role in our world and the benefits of having Taiwan at the table. Taiwan’s expertise in technology, public health, and sustainable development is something that could greatly benefit global initiatives.
For example, Taiwan’s handling of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic has offered valuable lessons that could have been shared more broadly if Taiwan had a platform within the UN. Taiwan has also made significant contributions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), further demonstrating its commitment to global progress.
The theme of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) – Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations – highlights the necessity of inclusive global action. Incorporating Taiwan into the UN aligns with this theme, as it would reinforce the principle of leaving no one behind and ensure that every capable contributor has a role in advancing peace and development.
The benefits of including Taiwan extend beyond just practical contributions. It’s also about reinforcing the principles that the UN was founded upon-peace, cooperation, and respect for all people. Taiwan’s inclusion would send a message that the international community values every member’s contributions, regardless of political complexities.
It’s important to address a common misconception: that Taiwan’s participation in the UN somehow contradicts existing UN resolutions. In fact, the resolution often cited-UNGA Resolution 2758-focused on China’s representation in the UN but did not address Taiwan’s status.
This means there is room to welcome Taiwan without contradicting past decisions. By opening the door to Taiwan, the UN would be embracing a more inclusive and representative approach. Furthermore, bringing Taiwan into the UN system would enhance global stability.
China’s aggressive actions and gray-zone tactics towards Taiwan pose challenges to peace in the Indo-Pacific region. By including Taiwan, the UN would help encourage a peaceful resolution to the cross-strait situation. It would also reaffirm the UN’s commitment to peace and security, showing that it will not be swayed by political pressure from any single nation.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the challenges we face-whether they’re economic, environmental, or health—require cooperation and collaboration from all corners of the world. Taiwan has shown time and again that it is ready and willing to contribute to these global efforts.
By including Taiwan in the UN, would be a step toward a more connected and cooperative international community, one where every voice can be heard, and every contribution can make a difference. Michael Lin Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Federation of St.
