The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union has sharply criticized the pace of wage reform, warning on Labour Day that workers are being left to struggle as the cost of living continues to rise.
Union leaders used the rally to reject the current minimum wage increase to $11.50, insisting it falls short of what is needed to sustain families. They renewed calls for a $13.50 livable wage, arguing that workers cannot wait years for meaningful relief.
General Secretary David Messiah said the delay in reaching a higher wage is placing additional pressure on the working class.
“We are calling for fair wage— for the public sector. We are calling for better pay within the minimum wage so that people can have and be above the poverty line,” he told the gathering.
Messiah pointed to recommendations from the minimum wage committee, which he said outlined a faster path toward higher wages, but noted that the current timeline pushes the full increase further into the future.
“The $13 would not come into play until 2028… that is further hardship on the working class,” he said.
The union also accused the government of failing to act with urgency as everyday expenses climb, warning that many households are already struggling to keep up with rising prices.
ABWU President Kem Riley echoed those concerns, calling for a shift away from minimum wage discussions toward a true livable wage.
“Every worker deserves a wage that… provides a life of dignity,” Riley said, as he urged authorities to take action on wages, fuel costs, utilities and taxation.
He added that economic progress must translate into real improvements for ordinary people.
“We are in a new era where progress must be felt in every home, not just in the reports,” Riley said.
The issue of worker hardship was a recurring theme throughout the rally, with speakers highlighting the growing gap between wages and the cost of living. Calls were also made for broader reforms, including improved social protections and stronger labour legislation.
Despite the criticism, union leaders urged workers to remain united and continue advocating for change, stressing that collective action remains key to securing better conditions.
The rally concluded with a march through St. John’s, as members carried placards and repeated calls for fair wages and stronger protections for workers.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Let’s see if Prime Minister Gaston Browne breaks the second of his election promises of better wages without mentioning caveats like “higher productivity”, which he didn’t mention pre-election.
As I mentioned before nutten na pass me…
Dats jus political at this present time can the employers pay 13 50 an hour without increasing price of there goods or if not laying off some of d workers I mean as an employee we all want more money for our days pay but at wat cost
Remember that Antigua/ Barbuda is an Economic Powerhouse so even $13.50 is menial at best, but then, they voted for what they think they are worth.
A UPP fault when Gaston can’t even pay the $11.50 either. By the way STOP FIGHTING for these people let everybody suffer, don’t you see they decided on April 30th that the country running good. No need for more money, things good. Tel what you get. UPP leave Antiguans alone to fight their own battle.
This “union’ is IN BED WITH HOTELIERS!!!!
Scumbag s…where is a compass and square talking- piece of hit
Oh what is this nonsense? Why we should not bring Minimum wage to 30 ec per hour.. Is better ehh.. Let’s see.. Better is 100 ec per hour..Dam 800 EC daily..That’s sounds better…BUT WHO THE CRAP IS GOING TO PAY?
Are we being so dumb? you can’t expect rise the minimum wage then expecting prices all around stay the same. If you don’t increase productions you can’t increase salary. The final cost of a service will increase at same time and you will end in the same situation.
Get rid of half of government useless payroll and you will see how much money the government will have. Is beyond understanding how you expect keep rising salary and not expecting all prices go up at same time
@Rovi/Chuuuppz well said let them go and fight GASTON BROWNE as per the ABLP MANIFESTO PUBLISHED ,they are gullible they voted for him I think one needs to revisit the ADULT LITERACY RATE in ANTIGUA it cannot be 98.9 percent.
MOTTLEY made promises to BAJANS in the last election to maintain political power, it appears she is unable to fulfill the promises, it is all about bullshit baffle BRAIN.
NOTE: Read all about it in Barbados nation newspaper dated April 4 2026. SOME BAJANS NOT FEELING GROWTH.
Despite 20 consecutive quarters of economic growth, low inflation and falling debt, some Barbadians say they are not feeling the benefits in their daily lives, insisting that the high cost of living continues to place severe pressure on households.
The concerns were raised after Central Bank Governor, Dr The Most Honourable Kevin Greenidge, reported on the country’s economic performance for the period January to March last Wednesday, highlighting sustained growth.
However, a number of Barbadians told a Nation team the figures being presented did not reflect the reality facing ordinary citizens.
Destiny Leacock said while Government officials might be speaking about growth, many people remained unconvinced because prices continued to rise and everyday expenses were becoming harder to manage.
“My view of what is happening in Barbados is that the cost of living is far too high, so when they say there have been 20 consecutive quarters of growth, I honestly find that difficult to believe. It sounds like they are saying what they think people want to hear but in terms of real life, I do not see where the average person is benefiting,” she said.
Leacock added that crime was another major issue affecting national development and confidence in the economy.
“Before anything else can improve, the crime situation in Barbados has to be brought under control. If crime continues to rise, tourism could slow down and tourism is one of the things that helps keep Barbados going. If tourism suffers, then everything else will get worse, including the cost of living. We need to address crime and the rising prices because people are under pressure,” she said.
In his review, Greenidge told the country that tourism continued to be the principal driver of growth, adding that earnings had already surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels. He said stay-over arrivals rose by 1.1 per cent to more than 237 000 visitors, while cruise passenger arrivals jumped 30 per cent to over 359 000.
Michael Thompson also challenged the claim of meaningful growth, arguing that high taxation, unemployment and inadequate infrastructure remained serious concerns.
“What I would say is that the high taxation on duties and other things is one of the problems. I also do not really believe there has been any significant growth worth mentioning, because many people are still unemployed and the cost of living remains high. There are too many factors still affecting ordinary people,” he said.
Thompson noted that while positive economic announcements might create confidence, many citizens were yet to see practical results.
“It sounds good when officials say the country is improving every quarter, but are we really seeing that progress in our everyday lives? We are not seeing the trickle-down effect. Even look at the roads – people are still complaining – so I would not really call it growth for the average person. It appears to benefit a small percentage of Barbados, maybe the top end, but it is not making a real difference for regular citizens.”
Rachelle Allamby said she too was struggling to reconcile official statements with household realities, as many families remained one pay day away from hardship.
“I do not see the growth they are talking about, because it still feels like people are living pay cheque to pay cheque. No matter how many incomes you may have coming into the house, it is still hard and people are still struggling. What they are saying is not matching what many of us are experiencing,” she said.
Allamby called for more direct support to households rather than measures she said did not provide immediate relief.
“I think they need to handle households directly and give families some breathing space. Not indirect measures that take time, but real help that allows people to pay bills, buy groceries and survive week to week. For a family of five like mine, it is a struggle, so they need to do better in helping ordinary people manage.”
Louriston Goddard said he was still feeling the same financial pressure despite reports of economic gains.
“I am feeling the hustle every day. The cost of living is still hurting the same way and nothing has dropped. Everything keeps getting more expensive. So when they talk about growth, to me it sounds like just talk because nothing has changed for poor people,” he said.
Goddard said assistance should focus on those most in need.
“I think they need to look for ways to help poor people survive and save. Things need to be made better for those at the bottom because many people are still living from pay cheque to pay cheque and not seeing any real improvement. Despite the growth they say Barbados is recording, we not feeling this growth; that’s just pretty talk,” he added.
Another person, who declined to be named, said the economic expansion might be benefiting some sectors, but not lower-income earners.
“As an average Barbadian, I do not feel this growth at all. It may be growth for people in certain brackets, but certainly not in mine. The cost of living is very high and whatever little income I have has to stretch a very long way. Sometimes I have to dip into savings just to manage.
“That means the growth does not reflect on me. It reflects on people who can afford things and do not feel the crunch, but the average person like me is still struggling.”
@Rovi/Chuuuppz well said let them go and fight GASTON BROWNE as per the ABLP MANIFESTO PUBLISHED ,they are gullible they voted for him I think one needs to revisit the ADULT LITERACY RATE in ANTIGUA it cannot be 98.9 percent.
MOTTLEY made promises to BAJANS in the last election to maintain political power, it appears she is unable to fulfill the promises, it is all about bullshit baffle BRAIN.
NOTE: Read all about it in Barbados nation newspaper dated April 4 2026. SOME BAJANS NOT FEELING GROWTH.
Despite 20 consecutive quarters of economic growth, low inflation and falling debt, some Barbadians say they are not feeling the benefits in their daily lives, insisting that the high cost of living continues to place severe pressure on households.
The concerns were raised after Central Bank Governor, Dr The Most Honourable Kevin Greenidge, reported on the country’s economic performance for the period January to March last Wednesday, highlighting sustained growth.
However, a number of Barbadians told a Nation team the figures being presented did not reflect the reality facing ordinary citizens.
Destiny Leacock said while Government officials might be speaking about growth, many people remained unconvinced because prices continued to rise and everyday expenses were becoming harder to manage.
“My view of what is happening in Barbados is that the cost of living is far too high, so when they say there have been 20 consecutive quarters of growth, I honestly find that difficult to believe. It sounds like they are saying what they think people want to hear but in terms of real life, I do not see where the average person is benefiting,” she said.
Leacock added that crime was another major issue affecting national development and confidence in the economy.
“Before anything else can improve, the crime situation in Barbados has to be brought under control. If crime continues to rise, tourism could slow down and tourism is one of the things that helps keep Barbados going. If tourism suffers, then everything else will get worse, including the cost of living. We need to address crime and the rising prices because people are under pressure,” she said.
In his review, Greenidge told the country that tourism continued to be the principal driver of growth, adding that earnings had already surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels. He said stay-over arrivals rose by 1.1 per cent to more than 237 000 visitors, while cruise passenger arrivals jumped 30 per cent to over 359 000.
Michael Thompson also challenged the claim of meaningful growth, arguing that high taxation, unemployment and inadequate infrastructure remained serious concerns.
“What I would say is that the high taxation on duties and other things is one of the problems. I also do not really believe there has been any significant growth worth mentioning, because many people are still unemployed and the cost of living remains high. There are too many factors still affecting ordinary people,” he said.
Thompson noted that while positive economic announcements might create confidence, many citizens were yet to see practical results.
“It sounds good when officials say the country is improving every quarter, but are we really seeing that progress in our everyday lives? We are not seeing the trickle-down effect. Even look at the roads – people are still complaining – so I would not really call it growth for the average person. It appears to benefit a small percentage of Barbados, maybe the top end, but it is not making a real difference for regular citizens.”
Rachelle Allamby said she too was struggling to reconcile official statements with household realities, as many families remained one pay day away from hardship.
“I do not see the growth they are talking about, because it still feels like people are living pay cheque to pay cheque. No matter how many incomes you may have coming into the house, it is still hard and people are still struggling. What they are saying is not matching what many of us are experiencing,” she said.
Allamby called for more direct support to households rather than measures she said did not provide immediate relief.
“I think they need to handle households directly and give families some breathing space. Not indirect measures that take time, but real help that allows people to pay bills, buy groceries and survive week to week. For a family of five like mine, it is a struggle, so they need to do better in helping ordinary people manage.”
Louriston Goddard said he was still feeling the same financial pressure despite reports of economic gains.
“I am feeling the hustle every day. The cost of living is still hurting the same way and nothing has dropped. Everything keeps getting more expensive. So when they talk about growth, to me it sounds like just talk because nothing has changed for poor people,” he said.
Goddard said assistance should focus on those most in need.
“I think they need to look for ways to help poor people survive and save. Things need to be made better for those at the bottom because many people are still living from pay cheque to pay cheque and not seeing any real improvement. Despite the growth they say Barbados is recording, we not feeling this growth; that’s just pretty talk,” he added.
Another person, who declined to be named, said the economic expansion might be benefiting some sectors, but not lower-income earners.
“As an average Barbadian, I do not feel this growth at all. It may be growth for people in certain brackets, but certainly not in mine. The cost of living is very high and whatever little income I have has to stretch a very long way. Sometimes I have to dip into savings just to manage.
“That means the growth does not reflect on me. It reflects on people who can afford things and do not feel the crunch, but the average person like me is still struggling.”
You know….I am going to put my neck out there and say (type it) since the ABWU and all the other unions DO NOT address it.
Advocate for higher wages for sure, I wholeheartedly agree with that, BUT also encourage/insist, that workers actually WORK. I cannot speak for other islands, but the mentality and attitudes of workers in Antigua STINK. You can barely get an honest days work out of them. They get to work late, but fuss to stay back to make up the time. Fake sick notes from unethical doctors….and the list goes on and on.
So yes, advocate for higher salaries, but instill in the workers that one hand cannot clap. Give the employers and honest days work as well.
$11.50 is equivalent to $4.50US.
Waw..so much for a economic powerhouse when workers in Antigua are working for $35.US a day, when groceries and other goods are three times the cost for many of those same goods here in the US.
How do people even survive in this island..
No wonder ABLP peddle their grocery handouts as their political moto for winning elections.
Half of the people in Antigua are living under the poverty level, and I will be surprised if it’s not even higher.
No nation can survive under that type of stress.
I know many of the ABLP supporters don’t like the US, but GB better get the people back their US visa, because even those who wash cars makes way more money that $4.50 an hour here in the US.
Economic powerhouse my back-foot.
Meanwhile GB and CO are going after the million dollar paychecks like the ALPHA and the corrupt CIP, while regular Antiguan’s are left to suffer with the crumbs that left off the table.
Why does every comment on every story have to be a political comment?
Since y’all started it….
What was the minimum wage under the UPP administration? It was $8.20 per hour……yes as Tanny Rose would say…..8 BROARDDDDD DOLLA NOTE! The same UPP that people are bragging about had poor Antiguans in worse “poverty”.
It wasn’t until GHASTAN’s administration raised it not once, but twice that any talk of minimum wage even came up.
So come on people….stop making everything political.