Jeanine Compton-Antoine is addressing the controversy surrounding plans the current government to give Lady Janice Compton a pension.The bill was put on the order paper for the last parliament sitting but has been withdrawn. The Prime Minister explained on Tuesday that there is need for review to make it inclusive of all Prime Ministers wives. Janine Compton –Antoine speaking on behalf of her family, says Lady Janice Compton was not aware of the bill in her name until after it had been on the order paper and immediately advised that the Prime Minister go back to the drawing board.
Janine Compton-Antoine says her mother has been troubled by some of the criticism directed at her. Compton-Antoine says an amendment to the Pension’s Act is fitting because wives of Prime Ministers do contribute to their country. In her mother’s case she points to the establishment of the OECS’s first drug rehabilitation centre. She explains that wives of St Lucian Prime Ministers receive no pension once their spouse has passed.
The bill is expected to be re-introduced soon.