UWP candidate Herod Stanislas denounces SRDF’s fee hikes on Sulphur Springs vendors
CASTRIES, St Lucia — June 1, 2025 — United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for Soufriere-Fond St. Jacques, Senator Herod Stanislas, has issued a scathing condemnation of the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) following its decision to sharply increase vending fees at the Sulphur Springs Park.
Herod Stanislas described the quadrupling of monthly vendor fees rising from EC$50 to EC$200 effective April 1, 2025, as a crippling blow to the livelihoods of Soufriere residents who depend on vending to support their families. Many affected vendors are women and single mothers who form the backbone of the town’s tourism-driven economy.
“These vendors are not just sellers, they are ambassadors of our culture and the lifeblood of Soufriere’s tourism sector,” Stanislas said in a press statement. “Saddling them with such a financial burden risks pushing families deeper into poverty and robbing our community of its unique character.”
The vending fee hikes coincide with broader fee adjustments by the SRDF that are scheduled to take effect June 1, 2025. Entry fees for Sulphur Springs Park and the Soufriere Jetties will increase across all visitor categories, with foreign adult bathing packages rising to EC$30 and docking fees for foreign vessels seeing additional hikes.
Full details of the SRDF’s planned fee increases were previously reported by Unitedpac St Lucia News here.
The SRDF has justified these increases as necessary to fund infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and local employment.
But Stanislas argues that the timing could not be worse. Despite rising tourist arrivals during the peak season, he pointed to falling visitor spending, which has squeezed vendor earnings even before the new fees were imposed.
“While visitor numbers have risen during the high season, overall spending has actually declined,” Stanislas noted. Despite increased foot traffic, our vendors are earning less than ever. The SRDF’s actions threaten to shut them down for good.”
Stanislas went further, accusing the SRDF of financial mismanagement and misplaced priorities while critical tourism infrastructure remains in disrepair. He highlighted the Soufriere Jetties, which remain damaged nearly a year after Hurricane Beryl, posing ongoing safety risks to visitors and staff.
“Is this the behavior of an organization truly committed to serving our community?” he asked, questioning whether proper insurance payouts have been secured and why repairs remain delayed.
The UWP candidate also raised concerns about the SRDF’s connection to the broader lease agreement between the Government of St Lucia and Global Ports Holding (GPH), which now oversees operations at Port Soufriere. Stanislas questioned whether GPH is profiting from SRDF fee collections, as it reportedly does at Port Castries.
“Are these fee increases being imposed at the request of GPH? Does GPH receive a share of the fees collected at Port Soufriere?” Stanislas asked. “The people of Soufriere deserve honest answers.”
Additionally, Stanislas accused the SRDF’s leadership of diverting significant funds toward political interests. He referenced reports of a $20,000 monthly Stimulus Fund, allegedly used by the current Parliamentary Representative for community giveaways during election cycles rather than for urgently needed public repairs.
Stanislas also denounced what he described as a growing wage gap between SRDF executives and frontline staff. While top management reportedly earns five-figure monthly salaries, operational staff, who deliver the daily services fueling the Foundation’s revenue, have received only modest pay increases that lag behind inflation.
“If the SRDF is truly committed to its mission, the proceeds from these fee increases must be fairly shared with those who make the Foundation’s success possible,” Stanislas said. “The current leadership must be held accountable for undermining both the organization’s integrity and the reputation of our community.”
The UWP candidate issued a list of demands to the SRDF leadership, calling for:
- An immediate reversal of the vending fee increase to protect vulnerable community members.
- Immediate repairs and rehabilitation of the Soufriere Jetties to restore safety and confidence.
- Fair salary adjustments for operational staff to reflect their essential contribution.
- Greater transparency, accountability, and community-centered governance in all SRDF decisions.
The SRDF publicly announced the new vending and entry fee structure through official circulars issued in April and May 2025, outlining the increases and their effective dates.
The SRDF has not publicly responded to Stanislas’s allegations.
For ongoing political and tourism developments in Soufriere, follow Unitedpac St Lucia News.
