Tackle March 2021

The CSDP was one of the ingenious
programmes of the PRG, possibly
without precedent at the time.
When community meets school,
and all teachers receive training,
wonders result..
Protecting the Poor and
Vulnerable Through the
National House Repair
Programme
Under the National House Repair
(NHR) programme, very low income
workers were able to access a loan
from the Government to effect repairs
to their homes. It was another
unique programme in the Caribbean
at that time, and further demonstrated
the PRG’s concern for the
poor and vulnerable.
Loan repayment terms were unbelievable:
10 years to repay, no interest,
monthly payments of $2.00
to $5.00; and only 2/3 of the loan
required to be repaid.
Where else in the world, during that
period, could one get a loan on
those terms? The programme was
based on voluntary labour, a revolving
fund, and the bulk purchase of
materials to obtain the best possible
price.
It is estimated that between 15 and
20 percent of all Grenadian households
benefited from the PRG’s
house repair programme. In three
(3) years, a total of 2,686 households
received loans. That figure
represented the bottom 12.2 percent
of all households at the time,
or 13,430 Grenadians.
Protecting Pregnant
Women with Maternity
Leave Law
Before the Revolution, pregnant
women were constantly exposed to
the risk of dismissal. Returning to
work after proceeding on maternity
leave depended entirely on the attitude
of the employer. No protection
existed for the employee. Get pregnant
and risk dismissal.
In 1980 the PRG proclaimed Peoples
Law No 53, the Maternity Leave
Law, which brought significant benefits
to pregnant working women.
It provided Maternity Leave for all
working women, whether single or
married, and protected them from
dismissal due to pregnancy. It guaranteed
at least twelve (12) weeks
maternity leave for all women, with
eight (8) weeks full pay.
A pregnant woman became entitled
to Maternity Leave upon completion
of eighteen (18) months
continuous service to the same
employer. In the case of daily paid
workers, the woman ought to have
worked with the same employer
for 105 days within that period of
eighteen months.
The Maternity Leave Law represented
a significant step forward for
women in Grenada.
Strengthening
Productive Capacity
In just four short years, the PRG
was able to reduce employment
from 49% to 14%; ; establish 44
state enterprises, embracing Agriculture,
Agro-Industries, Tourism,
Manufacturing and Financial Services;
grow the econ0my from 2%
in 1980 to 5.5% in 1982; build an
International Airport to provide the
gateway to Grenada’s economic
future; established two local banks,
the Grenada Bank of Commerce
(GBC) and the National Commercial
Bank (NCB);
1981, declared the Year of Agriculture
& Agro-Industries, saw the
establishment of the Coffee Processing
Plant in Telescope (St.
Andrew’s) and the Agro-Industrial
Plant, producing juices and condiments,
in True Blue.
School fees were gradually reduced
from $50.00 a term in March 1979
($150.00 a year) to, in September
1981, free secondary Education.
The education policy was further
enhanced with the pursuit of Universal
Secondary Education – every
child of school age being given an
opportunity to further his education.
The School Feeding Programme
and the School Books & Uniform
Programme greatly enhanced the
situation with students.
March 13th is Our
History
No doubt the Revolution has
brought lasting benefits to Grenada
and has laid the foundation for its
economic takeoff. The International
Airport, the National Insurance
Scheme (NIS), and the Marketing
National and Importing Board
(MNIB) remain as lasting legacies of
an historic period.
Debates on the Revolution, both its
positive and negative aspects, will
continue for a long time. Whatever
the view, it’s an important period
in our history. It marked a critical
turning point in Grenada’s development.
Should it be declared a public
holiday? Should the Month of
March be our local history month?
Should the revolutionary period
form part of our school’s curriculum?
These are all issues of debate.
In the meantime, let’s celebrate the
good of the revolution!
MARCH 2021 Tackle Magazine 11