(Barbados Today) Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says he will now meet with the Vincentian employees of bankrupt regional carrier LIAT, as he now has something new to say to them: the airline has asked his government for debt forgiveness.
LIAT has been grounded since March as a result of low demand for its services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and financial problems, including possible liquidation.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who was chair of LIAT’s shareholder governments, said he had not met with LIAT workers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines nine weeks after their union sought an appointment with him because he has nothing new to say to them.
But he said last week that such a meeting will now take place, as with the request of debt forgiveness, comes new information including insights into possible payment of severance and other benefits owed to the workers.
Gonsalves told Parliament earlier this month that LIAT owed his government EC$12.2 million in airport service charges, landing and other fees.
