The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture is pleased to announce the hosting of another outstanding Seminar Workshop title "Know Your Labour Act" where key sections of the law relevant to Termination of Employment and Disciplinary Procedures will be highlighted, as employers and their managerial employees should be familiar in their daily interactions with line staff. The Seminar is scheduled for March 5^th, 2025, and will be hosted at The Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room, Bois D’Orange. This informative and practical one-day workshop aims to provide participants with the knowledge to insulate themselves from frivolous claims and liability arising out of legal suits.

The workshop is facilitated by Cheryl Goddard-Dorville, founder of Goddard-Dorville Legal. Ms. Godard-Dorville has over twenty years’ experience navigating Saint Lucia’s Labour laws and delivers this Seminar in a manner that allows businesses large or small to be proactive and garner expert guidance and instruction on the Act.

The Seminar while expounding on other elements will focus on Division 10 of the Labour Act Cap 16.04 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia which deals with - Termination of Employment and more specifically on the following provisions: Valid reason for dismissal

section 131 - Unfair dismissal

section 132 - Constructive dismissal

section 133 - Summary dismissal for serious misconduct

section 135 - Warnings and termination for misconduct

section 136 - Unsatisfactory performance

section 140 - Natural justice safeguards

section 143 - Dismissal for reason of incapacity or abuse of sick leave

section 146 - Constructive redundancy

section 153 - Notice periods and exemptions from notice

section 156 - Certificate of termination

Interested firms are encouraged to register immediately to secure a spot. Registration is available through the Chamber’s website at www.stluciachamber.org or at email info@stluciachamber.org or (758) 452-3165.

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce continues to offer outstanding business and people development programs and invites all businesses to visit the Chamber Website or call our offices to find out more about the programs on offer.

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On every occasion Dr. Millar has delivered a workshop on Inventory Management, reviews have been outstanding and kept in the realm of the superlative. This year was no different. As firms struggle to cope with the phenomenon of "supply chain" bottlenecks and disruptions, accentuated by global shipping dysfunction and now even climate change effects, the approach to Inventory Management is increasingly recognized as requiring a strategic and scientific approach!

Dr Millar has once again delivered as promised.  A two-day in-depth thought-provoking approach to the issue was attentively and participatorily hosted January 29th and 30th, 2025 at the Chamber Conference Room at the Chamber Secretariat Headquarters Bois D’Orange. 23 keen participants from 13 organizations, public and private sector, engaged in a learning and rethinking process utilizing advanced processes and approaches to managing and maximizing their inventory and supply chain operations.

Inventory and supply chain transactions continues to account for up to 60% of business costs and has assumed increased significance in firms remaining and becoming competitive while containing costs. Dr Millar led participants through key concepts of inventory classification, strategic utilization, supply chain risks, and best practice in planning and replenishment.

The Chamber continues to note the high level of satisfaction of attendees in this program and is aware that other members are interested in benefitting from this workshop when next it is offered. The Chamber will therefore host another session as soon as Dr. Miller is available.  

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Notwithstanding, the many meetings hosted by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture with the St. Lucia Air & Seaports Authority and other key players to discuss and find some immediate relief to the lethargic pace goods are traversing the Castries Seaport, the snail's pace continues.

Problems range from lack of space to poor use of space. Congestion caused by the usual Christmas spike, to the lack of planning for the organic growth in cargo in a growing economy. The withdrawal of the services of an external Port Warehouse operator alongside poor or lack of sufficient functioning equipment compounded by old and crumbling infrastructure, have made things even worse and there appears to be little end in sight.

The Chamber however has not accepted that "that's just the way it is," and continues to call on SLASPA and is committed to working with them to take action wherever it is within their control. The Chamber is clearly more optimistic and hopeful, than the Seaport Management Team, as we continue to see much more scope for action by SLASPA than they (SLASPA) apparently do.

The Chamber also strongly feels that SLASPAs cargo woes, is not being given the necessary attention and priority that it requires. The Chamber has been calling for a meeting with the Senior Officials of SLASPA, Customs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Finance for over a month and this meeting has not been arranged. The important and critical role that the Port of Castries plays in the economic and social wellbeing of St. Lucia and average St. Lucians appears lost on the officials.

Because of St. Lucia's heavy (total) dependence on trade, inefficiencies at the border serves as an extra (needless and avoidable) tax on citizens of St. Lucia.  Businesses, especially small ones are still awaiting clearance of destuffing of goods they attempted to import for the Christmas Season, and some have only just received some of these. Meanwhile, some fortunate importers, not MSME's, have the luxury of calling someone and getting their goods out of a container, though this facility is open to all, if you can afford the special fee!

But all is not lost, SLASPA is working hard to get its equipment fixed, (reach stackers) and a major project to fix the damaged berth that limits the movement of the reach stackers close to the ships. A major project is soon to commence and SLASPA will be making an announcement soon.

As such an Executive Luncheon to be addressed by SLASPA has been scheduled for March 21st, 2025. Details will be shared in the upcoming week.

Additionally, to make more space, the St. Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority has provided the Truckers with access to land in the Bannan's Area ending the practice of Truckers queuing on the sidewalks as they await entry into Castries Seaport.

SLASPA has also removed all dilapidated cargo handling equipment. abandoned concrete trucks, and all vehicles landed before 2024 to Vieux Fort Port, thus making available space for Port Users, including Trucks.

Additionally, Tropical Shipping has made several ships available to remove empty containers from Castries Seaport to help with the congestion and space limitation on the Port.  

Meanwhile the Customs & Excise Department have announced measures that will increase productivity on the Port in areas where they directly impact including a soon to be introduced and long called for staggering of lunch hours by Customs & Excise staff, where their services will be available during their traditional "lunch hour."

The Chamber continues to seek an urgent meeting among, the key economic decision makers from Customs, SLASPA, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance and Ministry for Ports to discuss these urgent issues confronting the import and export of goods into St. Lucia.

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Climate Change Impacts on the Water sector

Part 1: Securing Saint Lucia's Water Future: Facing the Climate Challenge Together

WASCO is pleased to contribute to the Chamber of Commerce’s Newsletter sharing insights into the critical connection between climate change and water security. This is the first of many features on how climate change impacts Saint Lucia’s water network. We hope you find this information useful.

Saint Lucia's water system is both intricate and vulnerable, woven into the natural landscape of rivers, reservoirs and underground aquifers that provide essential resources to communities and businesses across the island. Water is primarily sourced from rivers and streams, with the John Compton Dam serving as the main storage reservoir that supplies the north of the island (Millet to Cap Estate). The Grace, Beausejour, Delcer, Canaries and Micoud Water Treatment Facilities are the major suppliers of water to the island’s south. However, our water system is increasingly strained by climate change.

Over recent years, shifts in weather patterns have led to higher temperatures, decreased rainfall and prolonged dry seasons, putting unprecedented pressure on water sources. When rain does fall, it often arrives in intense bursts, resulting in flash floods rather than replenishing the water table. This inconsistent rainfall disrupts the natural cycle that supplies reservoirs by diminishing river flows and exacerbating sedimentation in the dam.

Climate change also brings increased instances of extreme weather events, like hurricanes and tropical storms, which can severely damage infrastructure, disrupt supply lines and affect water quality. For businesses, these vulnerabilities translate into a less reliable water supply, which can impact operations, raise costs, and strain resources. Understanding these impacts is the first step for businesses in Saint Lucia to prepare for the changes ahead.

Look out for the WASCO feature in the next edition of the Chamber of Commerce’s Newsletter for more information on WASCO's actions during the dry season, and the steps businesses can take to secure water!

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St. Lucia Can Now Import Chicken from Brazil

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development have advised that St. Lucia is now able to import chicken from Brazil.

The issue of importing Chicken from Brazil, has been a subject of discussion for many years, however due to concerns around food health and safety the Ministry of Agriculture did not permit importation of Chicken from Brazil. Since then, the Ministry of Agriculture has, after much investigation and review, is now satisfied that it is safe, to import Chicken from Brazil.

In and around 2022, the Chamber in support of a request from Real Foods Inc., had strongly recommended that chicken imports from Brazil be allowed. This was advanced as the price of chicken was lower than that from the United States of America and of equivalent of even better quality. The Chamber also saw this as a strategy to help combat price escalation being experienced post Covid-19.

Additionally, the Chamber offered that diversifying import sources could help assure food security through lowering risks of food shortages by diversifying and expanding the sources of supply leading to better prices of many items. The Ministry of Agriculture was very circumspect and wished to ensure that any food products being imported into St. Lucia was safe and healthy and so they set about examining the Brazil chicken market and its standards of safety and operation.

Now that the Ministry is satisfied, chicken can now be imported from Brazil, it is likely that the average price of chicken will decline as competition ensues in the marketplace and this is expected to redound to the benefit of consumers.

The Chamber is pleased that the Ministry of Agriculture has led in this matter and provided the required health and safety oversight required. Now approval and permission has been granted as the Ministry is confidence, after due process, that citizens safety is assured with chicken imports from Brazil.

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Renewals & New Applicants

New Applicants:

We are excited to offer you an exclusive opportunity to showcase your company’s logo, social media handles, and contact details prominently on the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce website and in our widely circulated Annual Report. This is a unique chance to amplify your brand visibility while aligning with the credibility and outreach of the Chamber.

Renewals:

The current arrangement for your company’s logo placement on the Chamber’s website, along with links to your email, telephone number, and social media assets, have expired as of February 1, 2025.

For your convenience, we encourage you to visit our website at www.stluciachamber.org and review your company’s listing. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm or update your existing information.

Kindly Note: The placement for 2025 will remain valid until December 31, 2025, ensuring extended value for your investment.

Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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KPI's Series : Key Performance Indicators

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Healthy Lifestyle Series

Part 2

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