“St. Lucia has become a cash cow for huge businesses!”

The deputy leader of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Guy Joseph, has sharply criticized the government’s handling of the rising cost of living in Saint Lucia, accusing both the government and Massy Stores of exploiting citizens.

Joseph took aim at Massy Stores, the Trinidad and Tobago chain that came to St. Lucia in 2016, accusing it of driving up prices and exploiting local consumers. “St. Lucia has become a cash cow for Massy,” said Joseph St Lucia Times“Because you know how difficult it is to get a US dollar in Trinidad, St Lucia is used as a headquarters for Massy to generate its foreign exchange, particularly in US dollars.”

He questioned how smaller suppliers can offer products at lower prices than Massy despite sourcing from the same suppliers. “And they order in smaller quantities and sell the same products cheaper than Massy. How is this possible?” Joseph argued, suggesting that Massy puts profits over fairness.

Joseph did not hesitate to criticize Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and his government for failing to regulate prices or provide relief to citizens. “The government is cutting subsidies on essential goods such as rice, flour, sugar and cooking gas even as world prices and shipping costs rise,” Joseph said. He accused the government of bragging about increased revenue while citizens “care and suffer.”

Joseph described the daily “harsh reality” many St. Lucians face: “Parents cannot afford to put food on the table. Some children don’t even get two meals a day,” he said. “This isn’t 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 health care are closely linked and require immediate government action.

“People are fed up and it is time for the government to act. We are protesting because we care about the future of Saint Lucia,” said Joseph St Lucia Times on the sidelines of an opposition demonstration on health care in front of the OKEU hospital.

The demonstration took place on Wednesday.