Deputy Leader of the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Guy Joseph, has strongly criticised the government’s handling of the rising cost of living in Saint Lucia, accusing both the administration and Massy Stores of exploiting citizens.
Joseph took aim at Massy Stores, the Trinidad and Tobago chain that came to Saint Lucia in 2016, accusing it of driving up prices and exploiting local consumers. “Saint Lucia has become the cash cow for Massy,” Joseph told St. Lucia Times, “because you know how difficult it is to get a US dollar in Trinidad, so Saint Lucia is being used as the headquarters for Massy to generate its foreign exchange, especially in US dollars.”
He questioned how smaller vendors can offer products at lower prices than Massy, despite sourcing from the same suppliers. “And they order in smaller quantities and they are selling the same products cheaper than Massy. How is that possible?” Joseph argued, suggesting that Massy is prioritising profits over fairness.
Joseph did not hold back in criticising Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and his administration for failing to regulate prices or provide relief to citizens. “The government is cutting back on subsidies for essential items like rice, flour, sugar, and cooking gas, even as global prices and shipping costs rise,” Joseph said. He accused the government of boasting about increased revenue while citizens are “scrunting and suffering.”
Joseph described the daily ‘harsh realities’ many Saint Lucians face: “Parents can’t afford to put food on the table. Some children aren’t even getting two meals a day,” he said. “This is not about politics—it’s about saving lives and making life easier for people.”
He stressed that the rising cost of living, escalating crime, and deteriorating healthcare are all deeply connected and require immediate government action.
“People are fed up, and it’s time for the government to act. We are protesting because we care about the future of Saint Lucia,” Joseph told St. Lucia Times on the margins of an opposition demonstration over healthcare outside the OKEU Hospital.
The demonstration occurred on Wednesday.
