By Carlisle Jno Baptiste
ROSEAU, DOMINICA– Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) Dr. Thomson Fontaine says that Dominica is “at a crossroads” and the healthcare and education systems are “crumbling, with horror stories mounting daily”.
Dr. Fontaine made his comments at a press conference of his party at the Garraway Hotel on June 3, 2025.
According to him, garbage disposal is mishandled, choking our communities, our environment, and precious resources are plundered by foreign interests under the guise of “development,” and the countries farmers are desperate for support, while the youth are fleeing in droves, seeking opportunities abroad because their dreams are stifled at home.
“Our Public Officers, Police officers, fire officers, doctors and nurses, NEP workers and our school teachers are serving us courageously, but with shrinking real wages are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet,” he said.
“Our truckers, heavy equipment operators, masons, carpenters, and unskilled workers look on helplessly as the jobs that they are qualified to undertake are being snatched away from them. Of course, we cannot forget our private sector businesses and workers that are here today and gone tomorrow, like an ever-shifting cloud of dust over a barren land.”
He stated that the cost of groceries, electricity, and internet is so high that everyone is “crying out for help.”
“Only the salaries of the ministers and the prime minister are increasing, while all others are stuck. Our civil servants are not being appointed- their talent and sacrifice are taken advantage of. The children of the barefoot peasants for whom the shoe was supposed to lift of the pillage of the post-colonial era are stuck with the NEP. They are paid very little, very late all the time,” he stated.
“Surely this is not the Dominica we deserve. But let me assure you that the day of shared prosperity is dawning, and the UWP is here together with a unified opposition movement to lead us toward it.”
Dr. Fontaine stated that while the “UWP-Team Dominica has faced immense challenges to reach this moment,” they have navigated internal leadership transitions and relentless attacks from a corrupt government determined to silence opposition voices.
“Our leaders and members have been arrested and thrown before the courts, but this has only strengthened our resolve…but the night of weeping is over and the joy of a new dawn bringing in the better days is quickly approaching. We are over the worst, and today, I declare: The United Workers Party- Team Dominica is united and ready to deliver on a vision of shared prosperity for our nation,” he remarked.
Briefly speaking about the Dominica Labour Party”s (DLP) celebrating its 70th anniversary he says that the current DLP has strayed far from the principles of Oliver Leblanc, Patrick John, Mike and Rosie Douglas, and the late Pierre Charles stating that “What we see today is a regime that victimizes, ostracizes, and stifles the ambitions of Dominicans.”
“Their style of governance has destroyed our middle class, leaving a ruthless group of political elites, a manipulated and suffering lower class trapped by programs like the NEP and housing schemes. This is not progress—it’s a playbook for poverty, crime, and tyranny,” Dr. Fontaine stated.
“Even our supporters feel threatened and are told that if they hope to make it here in Dominica, they must come cup in hand and publicly declare allegiance to the DLP. Dominica, we have endured enough. The UWP-Team Dominica is committed to putting our lives on the line to steer this nation toward a brighter future of shared prosperity for all.”
He then introduces what he called “a Roadmap rooted in the belief that every Dominican deserves a fair shot at success, not just the privileged few,” stating that from Capuchin to Cashacou, they (UWP) will build this Dominica, creating opportunities, generating wealth, and lifting the people.
Economic Empowerment through Fair Wages and Salaries:
We will ensure better pay for our working class by initiating an increase in the minimum wage to $12 from its current level. Public servants will realise significant increases in their salaries, and as we transform the NEP into skills-building and training, their wages will also grow. These actions will ensure that every Dominican can live with dignity and provide for their families.
Tax Reform for Wealth Creation:
We will overhaul the tax system, revise VAT rates downwards, remove suffocating import duties, provide duty-free incentives to build homes and businesses, and overall reduce the tax burden on our people. These actions will stimulate entrepreneurship, revive the private sector, rebuild the middle class, and promote economic growth.
Healthcare and Education Transformation:
We will rebuild the healthcare and education systems, ensuring that they are accessible, efficient, and responsive. Well-equipped and supplied medical centres will make use of our trained doctors both at home and abroad. This will be complemented by a National Health Insurance Program.
Our education system will be modernized, and our students trained in math, languages, science, and social disciplines. We will equip our people with the tools to compete globally, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Our Kalinago People, Tourism, and Environmental Protection:
We will safeguard and promote the uniqueness of our Kalinago people, while developing an eco-tourism product that is unequaled around the Globe. Our culture and unique music will be encouraged and promoted globally, thus creating unlimited opportunities for our youth in particular.
Establish Agriculture, Water, and Manufacturing Sectors:
We will empower our agricultural sector with resources, training, and market access, honouring the sacrifice of our farmers. New job opportunities will be created through the development of a strong agro-processing sector and the revamping of our essential oils industry. Our rural communities will flourish and grow as we build the factories and the required infrastructure.
New avenues will be sourced to export our water across the globe. Our fishing industry will be resurrected as we develop a canning industry….more jobs, more opportunities, more ways to share prosperity.
Youth Opportunity and Retention:
We will create opportunities for wealth generation to keep our youth in Dominica, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. We will utilize the knowledge-based industry, occupy our young minds with innovation, and drive. The dreams of our youth will be restored.
Infrastructure for Progress:
From proper waste management to modernized public services, we will invest in infrastructure that uplifts every community. Rebuild the feeder roads, open up new lands for farming and other commercial activities.
Renewable Energy Development:
We will harness our renewable energy potential of hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal to radically reduce the cost of electricity and attract foreign companies looking to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centres. Our cheap electricity generation will also be a magnet for companies to set up additional factories and manufacturing operations in Dominica.
Social Equity and Inclusion:
We will dismantle manipulative policies and build a society where every Dominican has a voice and a stake. Our elderly and those vulnerable among us will be cared for and cherished. We will establish a welfare system that is separate from political interference and built solely on need.
… and finally
Transparent Governance:
We will root out corruption and establish a government that serves the people and that is accountable to them at all times. No more coco macaque, and utterances of ‘none of your damn business’. We will be a responsible government that is answerable to the people of this country, who will be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
“My fellow Dominicans, these 10 pillars are not mere promises—they are our solemn commitment to you, the people of Dominica, grounded in faith and action. They represent a vision of shared prosperity, where no one is left behind, and every citizen can thrive. Indeed, the time for collective prosperity is knocking at our doors, our minds, and our hearts,” he stated.
“In the coming days and weeks, we will take this message and vision to our people across this beautiful land and in the Diaspora. We firmly believe that there is a great role to be played by our people who happen to be living overseas in building on this vision. Yes, we want you to return to our country to retire, set up businesses, and otherwise contribute to this dream. We are ready, we are united, we are committed, and we will succeed.”
“The UWP-Team Dominica is ready to lead with courage, integrity, and action. Together, we will rebuild our nation into one where opportunity flourishes, dreams are realized, and prosperity is shared by all. Join us on this journey. Let’s take back our country and build the Dominica we all deserve,” Dr. Fontaine stated.