Recently, the United Workers Party under Thomson Fontaine’s leadership unveiled its much-anticipated “Shared Prosperity for All Dominicans” agenda. A 10-pillar plan aimed at rebuilding Dominica and reversing over two decades of economic stagnation, inequality, and governance failures.
At their first major press conference, party leaders promised bold reforms.
1 – Boost the minimum wage to $12/hour and improve pay for public service employees.
2 – Fixing the tax system to support working families and those building businesses.
3 – Introducing national health insurance and empowering skilled local workers.
4 – Modernizing education to meet global standards and support growth in emerging sectors.
5 – Renewing agriculture and industry through agro-processing, fishing, and water exports.
6 – Investing in youth skills and innovation through a revised National Employment Program.
7 – Better infrastructure and services for every area, rural and urban.
8 – Using renewable energy to boost investment and reduce power bills.
9 – Delivering social equity through transparent, unbiased welfare.
10 – Strengthening governance through transparency and anti-corruption efforts.
The rhetoric sounded familiar: promises of transparency, unity, and prosperity echo through every election cycle. But questions persist: can the United Workers Party’s plan address Dominica’s deeply rooted challenges, or is this another polished presentation masking recycled politics? Let us unpack the promises and the realities Dominicans face today.
1 – The Minimum Wage To $12/Hour And Boosting Public Service Salaries.
Raising the minimum wage to $12/hour and significantly boosting public service salaries in Dominica is a proposal that sounds appealing at first glance, but it is ultimately unrealistic and economically dangerous given the country’s current financial and structural limitations. Unlike North America, which has massive, diversified, and resilient economies backed by trillions of dollars in GDP and robust industrial and financial sectors, Dominica is a small island developing state with limited revenue streams and a narrow economic base. Its economy relies heavily on the Citizenship by Investment program, little agriculture, and poor tourism, none of which are strong enough to support such a dramatic wage increase.
Most businesses in Dominica are small, family-run operations or micro-enterprises with very tight profit margins. Forcing them to pay $12 per hour would be devastating. Many of these businesses already struggle to pay the employees they have under current conditions, and such a wage hike would result in mass layoffs, closures, and a surge in informal, under-the-table employment practices. Instead of helping workers, this move would leave many without a job at all.
Additionally, raising wages to such a level without a corresponding increase in productivity or local production would lead to steep inflation. Since Dominica imports almost all of its essential goods, any increase in labour costs would be passed on to consumers, causing prices for food, rent, electricity, and other necessities to rise significantly. This would erase any gains from the wage hike and ultimately worsen the cost of living for EVERYONE, especially those not working in government or high-end sectors.
Boosting public service salaries poses another major issue. Dominica’s government already depends heavily on foreign aid, loans, and CBI revenue to pay its bills. Increasing the public wage bill without expanding the economy or finding new, stable sources of revenue would lead to more borrowing or force the government to raise taxes, completely defeating the purpose of trying to help working-class families. It would also risk pushing the country toward unsustainable debt levels, potentially triggering more intervention from organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
There are also concerning social effects to consider. A sudden wage increase would distort expectations across the labour market, widen inequality between public and private sector workers, and undermine Dominica’s competitiveness in key industries like tourism. Employers in hospitality and agriculture would be forced to pay wages they simply cannot afford, making it harder to attract investment or maintain operations.
2 – Reforming The Tax System To Ease Burdens On Working-Class Families And Entrepreneurs.
Reforming the tax system to ease burdens on working-class families and entrepreneurs is an admirable goal, but in the context of Dominica’s small and fragile economy, it is a complex and doomed to fail proposition. The idea suggests reducing taxes for lower-income earners and small business owners to stimulate growth, which is sound in theory. However, it raises a critical question: where will the government make up the lost revenue?
Dominica’s government relies heavily on indirect taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT), import duties, and excise taxes. These taxes form a significant portion of the national budget and fund essential services like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and disaster response. If these tax burdens are reduced without an immediate and sustainable replacement, it would severely undermine the state’s ability to function. That risk is especially concerning in a country that regularly faces hurricanes and climate-related costs and has limited borrowing power.
Additionally, the idea of easing taxes on entrepreneurs sounds good, but it oversimplifies the real challenges they face. Most small business owners in Dominica are not struggling because of taxes alone. They face hurdles like unreliable electricity, poor access to financing, limited market size, expensive imports, and bureaucratic red tape. Unless those structural issues are addressed first, tax cuts by themselves will not be enough to spark entrepreneurship or real economic growth.
Furthermore, the wealthier businesses and individuals (elites) will end up benefiting more from these reforms than those truly in need; the result would be greater inequality rather than relief for the working class. The tax system needs to be balanced and well-targeted, ensuring that those who can afford to contribute more still do, while lower-income earners are protected. Otherwise, the result would be a regressive tax policy that favours the politically connected or those with loopholes to exploit.
In short, while tax reform is necessary and potentially beneficial, especially if it simplifies the system and improves fairness, it must be carefully planned. For Dominica, any reform must come with a clear plan to maintain essential public funding and address broader economic weaknesses. Without that, reducing taxes would do more harm than good, leaving the country with even fewer tools to build a stronger future.
3 – Modernizing Healthcare With National Health Insurance And Skilled Local Personnel.
The United Workers Party wants to talk about “modernizing healthcare,” but do not be fooled by the pretty words. When politicians start using phrases like that, it is usually code for one thing: privatizing healthcare.
Let me explain what that means for you and your family. Private healthcare is not free. It is not automatic.
- You pay out of pocket.
- You wait for approval.
- If you don’t have the money, you don’t get the service, simple as that!
The United Workers Party is trying to sell it as “better quality” or “more efficient,” but the truth is, privatized healthcare means healthcare becomes a business, not a basic human right. And in a place like Dominica, where thousands of people are already unemployed or barely scraping to get by, how are they supposed to afford private doctors, private clinics, private treatments?
Universal healthcare, where every citizen, rich or poor, gets access to care without paying massive bills, is proven to work. The United Workers Party is not trying to strengthen the public system. They are trying to wash their hands of responsibility. If they privatize healthcare, they can blame the clinics, blame the insurance companies, blame “the system.” Meanwhile, it is the government that has abandoned its duty to care for our people.
And with unemployment this high, with no real economic growth, how can Dominicans afford private healthcare? Most cannot even find a stable job, let alone pay monthly premiums or unexpected medical bills. So, who benefits? The wealthy!The elites! The same people who already have access to everything, while ordinary, struggling Dominicans get pushed further to the bottom.
Healthcare should never be a luxury for the few. It is a right for everyone. And any government trying to privatize it is making it clear: they don’t care about you, they care about profit, and about shifting the burden onto struggling families who are already drowning.
4 – Overhauling Education To Align With Global Standards And Emerging Industries.
The promise to “overhaul education to align with global standards and emerging industries” sounds visionary and progressive, but the real challenge lies in how this will be achieved, especially in a resource-limited country like Dominica. Without a clear, detailed roadmap, such a pledge would again just be another campaign slogan rather than a deliverable directive.
To begin with, aligning with global standards means more than just updating textbooks or introducing digital devices into classrooms. It requires a complete restructuring of the curriculum, teacher training, facilities, and assessment systems. For Dominica to match international benchmarks in science, technology, engineering, and math, it would need to invest heavily in labs, modern equipment, and skilled educators who are both trained and up to date with global trends. Where is the funding coming from for this kind of reform?
Next, “emerging industries” such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, coding, and biotechnology require technical infrastructure and specialized education, neither of which exists at scale in Dominica. The harsh reality is that our island’s education system is already stretched to the limit. Schools face chronic shortages of basic resources, unfairly underpaid teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and outdated materials. Many buildings are still damaged from past hurricanes, with new construction projects collapsing, Grammar School being the latest example, where all signs point to the use of substandard building materials. How can we expect to prepare our children and youth for the industries of tomorrow when we are still failing to provide safe classrooms and working textbooks today?
To introduce advanced, industry-specific programs in this environment requires millions in investment and years of capacity building. Has the United Workers Party explained where they will get the funding, who will train the teachers, or what industries are being prioritized?
Furthermore, global education standards also involve access and equity. Rural students in Dominica often lack reliable electricity or internet, making it nearly impossible to implement modern e-learning platforms or access international learning resources. Overhauling the system would also require closing this digital divide, which again demands infrastructure development that is not currently budgeted for.
There is also the issue of relevance; aligning with global standards is useful only if it also prepares students for real, local opportunities. Without strong job markets in tech, clean energy, or other global sectors within Dominica itself, students might graduate with modern skills but no local job prospects, leading to an increased brain drain as young people leave the island in search of better opportunities abroad.
While overhauling the education system to meet global standards and cater to emerging industries is a noble and necessary ambition, the United Workers Party has yet to present a credible and detailed plan on how it will fund, execute, and sustain such a transformation. Without a clear path forward, this promise risks being more aspirational than achievable.
5 – Reviving Agriculture And Manufacturing, With Renewed Focus On Agro-Processing, Fishing, And Water Exports.
There needs to be a clear and comprehensive plan presented before the upcoming elections that addresses the revival of Dominica’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors. This plan should focus on developing agro-processing industries, expanding sustainable fishing, and capitalizing on the abundant freshwater resources for water exports. Without such a plan, the country would continue on a path of economic dependency and miss opportunities for sustainable growth.
A well-defined strategy must demonstrate a commitment to creating jobs, empowering local farmers and fishermen, and building resilient supply chains. It would also signal serious leadership willing to break away from short-term fixes and instead invest in the long-term economic independence of Dominica. Presenting this plan ahead of the elections would allow voters to hold candidates accountable and choose leadership that prioritizes sustainable development and the revitalization of key economic sectors.
Ultimately, the people of Dominica deserve transparency and a real vision for how their natural resources and human capital can be leveraged to create a prosperous future. Without a clear roadmap addressing these critical areas, election promises risk being empty rhetoric rather than actionable commitments.
6 – Investing In Youth Innovation And Skills Training Through A Transformed National Employment Program.
The United Workers Party says they will “invest in youth innovation and skills training through a transformed National Employment Program.” But let us be real, this is just recycled nonsense with no details, no plan, and no connection to the actual reality Dominicans are facing every day.
Jobs? Where? There are barely jobs in Dominica for anyone, young or old. People are leaving this island because there is no opportunity. So, how does United Workers Party plan to magically create work for the youth when there is not even enough to go around for the adults trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table?
And let us not pretend this is about building a future; this is survival mode. The truth is, most youth in Dominica still live at home. Why? Because their parents, the adults, can not find stable work. The economy is so weak that the so-called “youth programs” are just band-aids to patch a broken system. It is the young people, the same ones the United Workers Party pretends to be helping, who are now stuck carrying their struggling families on their backs, working odd jobs, scraping by, taking care of their parents because the government has no plan for the adults, for the workers, for the people with real responsibilities.
So what exactly is the United Workers Party’s plan for them? What happens to the mother or father who has been unemployed for years? What happens to the family trying to survive when rent, groceries, and bills keep rising, and all the government offers are vague promises to “train” the youth, with no jobs to train them for?
This is not leadership. It’s a distraction. It is window dressing for a failing economy. Until the United Workers Partycomes forward with real solutions, not empty phrases, it is clear they have no plan for Dominica, no plan for the working class, and no plan for the future beyond more political spin.
7 – Upgrading Infrastructure And Public Services Across Rural And Urban Areas.
Upgrading infrastructure and public services across rural and urban areas is undeniably important, but where exactly will the funding come from? The government talks about reforming the tax system to ease burdens on working-class families and entrepreneurs, yet these two goals seem fundamentally at odds. How can taxes be lowered or eased while still raising the significant funds needed for major infrastructure projects?
There is a clear lack of a credible, detailed plan explaining how these competing priorities will be balanced. Without transparency about new revenue sources or cuts elsewhere, this feels more like political rhetoric than a realistic strategy. The risk is that essential upgrades will be underfunded or delayed, and promises to support families and small businesses will fall flat.
Is this truly a commitment to meaningful change, or just another vague promise designed to appeal to voters without a solid foundation? The government must be held accountable to present a concrete, viable plan because talk of tax relief and infrastructure upgrades without clear funding sources raises serious doubts about the seriousness and feasibility of their efforts.
8 – Leveraging Renewable Energy To Attract Investment And Lower Electricity Costs.
Leveraging renewable energy to attract investment and lower electricity costs is an exciting and forward-thinking goal for Dominica, especially given the island’s abundant natural resources like geothermal, solar, and wind power. However, while the vision is promising, turning it into reality involves several significant challenges.
First, developing renewable energy infrastructure requires substantial upfront investment. Building geothermal plants, solar farms, or wind turbines involves high capital costs, technical expertise, and long project timelines. Dominica’s government will need access to significant funding, likely through international loans, grants, or private investors, all of which come with their complexities and conditions.
Second, the island’s small market size limits economies of scale, which can make renewable projects less attractive to big investors compared to larger countries. Ensuring that these investments are financially viable and can offer competitive returns is a delicate balance.
Third, integrating renewable energy into the existing power grid requires modernizing infrastructure to handle variable power sources and maintain reliability. Without upgrades to the grid and energy storage solutions, reliance on renewables would lead to instability in the electricity supply.
And finally, in Venezuela, we have seen a clear example of how natural resource wealth, in their case, oil, became concentrated in the hands of a corrupt political elite, while the majority of citizens fell deeper into poverty. Billions of dollars flowed into the country, but instead of being invested in healthcare, education, infrastructure, or job creation, the money was hoarded by government insiders, wasted on failed projects, or siphoned off through corruption. The result? A nation rich in resources but poor in opportunity, with widespread hunger, collapsing public services, and mass emigration. Sounds a lot like what is currently happening in Dominica.
Under this government, Skerrit has already shown signs of centralized power, a lack of transparency, and questionable spending. We have already seen how the Citizenship by Investment program has brought in hundreds of millions of dollars, yet many Dominicans still face high unemployment, poor healthcare, unreliable electricity, and water and limited access to basic services. People are asking, Where is the money going?
Dominica could easily slide into the same trap as Venezuela, where foreign investment flows in, flashy press releases are issued, but the actual benefits never reach us, the citizens. Instead, we see government-connected individuals and companies grow wealthier, while everyday Dominicans struggle under the same high cost of living, unemployment, and underdevelopment.
So, yes, turning Dominica’s renewable energy potential into a national success requires more than just good ideas. It demands honest leadership, public accountability, and a government that puts people before profit. Without that, the future could look a lot more like Venezuela than the “shared prosperity” that is being promised.
9 – Ensuring Social Equity Through Unbiased Welfare Systems.
The United Workers Party promised to ensure social equity through unbiased welfare systems sounds admirable, but it quickly falls apart when you examine the financial reality, especially when they are also promising tax cuts.
Welfare systems require serious government funding to work properly. This includes housing assistance, support for the elderly and disabled, unemployment benefits, education grants, and healthcare support. If a government is truly committed to creating a fair and accessible system for all citizens, it needs a stable and growing revenue stream to sustain it.
But at the same time, the United Workers Party says it plans to cut taxes to ease the burden on working families and small businesses. That sounds nice, but let us be clear that you can not cut taxes and expand social programs at the same time unless you have a massive source of income from somewhere else, and Dominica does not.
Dominica does not have the kind of industrial base, manufacturing sector, or large tax-paying middle class like North America or Europe. We do not have trillions flowing through our economy. Much of Dominica’s government revenue comes from indirect taxes, duties, and programs like the Citizenship by Investment initiative, which itself is unstable and under scrutiny.
So, the question becomes: Where is the money coming from?
- If you are cutting taxes, you are reducing government revenue.
- If you are expanding welfare programs, you are increasing government spending.
- If you are planning to end or reduce reliance on the CBI program, then you are cutting off one of the biggest sources of cash currently keeping the country afloat.
Without new, identified sources of income such as sustainable exports, a major tourism boom, or new industries that can reliably generate tax revenue, these promises are financially impossible. It is a political fantasy, not a grounded economic plan.
In the end, it is easy to promise equity and fairness. But unless the United Workers Party can clearly show how these programs will be funded without raising debt, increase VAT, or making painful cuts elsewhere, then this vision is just that, a vision, not a viable reality.
10 – Enforcing Transparent Governance And Rooting Out Corruption.
This is a hard pill to swallow! The United Workers Party claims that under its new leadership it will eThis is a hard pill to swallow! The United Workers Party claims that under its new leadership, it will enforce transparent governance and root out corruption. On paper, this sounds like a much-needed shift for Dominica. But for many Dominicans, especially those who remember the United Workers Party’s past before Roosevelt Skerrit, this promise is a hard pill to swallow.
Just a year ago, former leader of the United Workers Party, Lennox Linton alomng side the new party leader Thompson Fontaine stated that his government would scrap the current airport project out of spite, further delaying the very people he claims to care about from gaining a new source of income, a source of income that everyone in Dominica would benefit from.
The United Workers Party was once believed to be the “farmers’ dream party,” and under Edison James, it rose to power on promises of economic empowerment and rural development. But that dream quickly faded. The banana industry, a backbone of Dominica’s economy, died under international trade pressure and EU policy changes. Many farmers blamed the government for not protecting their interests or diversifying quickly enough.
The party was marred by allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and actions driven by personal gain. It was not long before the very leaders who claimed to stand for integrity were embroiled in scandals from questionable business deals to unethical financial practices.
Eventually, the public lost trust. The same party that championed farmers and development was voted out, not because of media bias or external interference, but because its behaviour contradicted its message. Even after losing power, several United Workers Party members have faced criminal charges or arrests, adding to the perception that the party talks reform but fails to live by it.
So now, under Thomson Fontaine, the United Workers Party is asking Dominicans to believe it has changed, that it will be the party to clean up government, enforce transparency, and fight corruption. That may be true in theory, but history says otherwise, and many voters have not forgotten.
If Thomson Fontaine, the United Workers Party, wants to be taken seriously on this issue, it needs more than just rhetoric. It needs to:
- Acknowledge its past failings publicly.
- Show concrete internal reforms within the party.
- Present detailed anti-corruption policies, including independent watchdog bodies, freedom of information laws, and mandatory public audits.
Without that, it is hard not to see this promise as just another recycled talking point, meant to win votes rather than build a new political culture. Dominicans have heard these lines before and lived through the consequences.
Team DRP