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ABWU Renews Call for 10 Days Paternity Leave in Antigua and Barbuda
General Secretary David Massiah has renewed calls for fathers in Antigua and Barbuda to be granted 10 days of paternity leave, saying five days is not enough to support newborns and their families.
Addressing union members at the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) Labour Day rally, Senator Massiah welcomed recent government moves to introduce paternity leave but insisted that the current proposal of five days falls short of what is needed.
“We don’t want five days anymore.
We want ten days,” he said. “We want to give fathers in this country enough time to spend with their newborns.”
Massiah said the union has been advocating for paternity leave for years and cautioned against what he described as political posturing by those claiming credit for the initiative.
“It is the unions who have been fighting for paternity leave in this country for how long,” he stated.
The ABWU leader tied the issue to the broader fight for workers’ rights, noting that family support measures are essential to building a more equitable and compassionate society.
He also reiterated the union’s other key demands, including an increase in the national minimum wage and action on the rising cost of living.
Massiah urged the government to take meaningful action. “We need a government that is ready to do right by the people,” he said.
The call for expanded paternity leave is part of a wider labour agenda the union is pushing, which also includes reforms to the Labour Code, a National Health and Safety Policy, and the establishment of a Severance Protection Fund.
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I support this, not even 10 days but maybe a month. Mother going so much during postpartum, Father changed be given the time so they can help the mother and bond with their newborn
Curious to know if the government will actually back this or shelve it.
Not every man takes parenting seriously — but those who do need this time.
I wonder if this could be optional unpaid leave, if paid leave isn’t possible yet.
I wonder if this could be optional unpaid leave, if paid leave isn’t possible yet.
I am truly truly sorry but to this day I donot agree with paternity leave. These men or should I say most of these men only want the money and time to do everything except stay home and help the mother and new born. Hats off for those small amount that would use paternity leave for its true purpose… give me a break 10 days to do what chupzzzzzz🙄
Ooooh please am sorry but a very small about of men would do this which is so so sad
There are still good men who will fulfill their duty as fathers.
Sad thing is some women choose some men who they can see they useless but still decide to have children with and expect good treatment 😕. Thoose men don’t deserve 10 days. But all in all the women need the support to recover.
10 days is still a joke but at this point, men will take anything