ABWU Demands Full Compliance with Industrial Court Ruling on Holiday Leave
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) has written to the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), urging all member hotels to respect workers’ legal rights to compensatory leave when scheduled off on public holidays.
This strong stance comes as the nation prepares to observe Labour Day, a holiday dedicated to honouring workers and their contributions.
In the strongly worded letter, the ABWU reminded the Association that the Industrial Court has already ruled on the matter of holiday entitlements in Ref No. 5 of 1988 (Sundry Workers v Antigua Catering Services). According to the ruling, any employee who is scheduled off on a public holiday is legally entitled to a compensatory day off with pay, a right enshrined in the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code.
“This entitlement is not discretionary; it is a legal right,” stated Chester N. Hughes, Deputy General Secretary of the ABWU.
The ABWU further warned that it will actively challenge any hotel or other employer found to be in breach of this obligation. In such cases, the Union will seek a full audit of the establishment’s holiday pay and scheduling practices and will pursue retroactive payments for all affected employees.
“The Union remains committed to protecting the rights of workers within the hospitality industry and expects all member hotels to comply fully with the Labour Code and the confirmed interpretation by the Court,” the letter concluded.
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Does dat go for all workers like security guards an more or jus hospitality workers
HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THE UNION NEED TO LOOK INTO ALL THE PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS AS WELL, PERTAINING TO THIS HOLIDAY LEAVE SITUATION, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF SECURITY OFFICERS NOT GETTING THEIRS…
Afta de court done rule, wha all dis delay fah? Dem hotel ya waan tek poor people fah poppyshow
How yuh go tell me holiday come and because me schedule off me nah get no day? Me nah work pan plantation
These big hotel chains wouldn’t dare try this foolishness in their own countries, but come Antigua and treat workers like second-class. We must stop that
I support the ABWU, but let’s see real action now. If a hotel break the law, take them to court and make them pay. Enough warnings.
Politicians love to parade on Labour Day, but who really standing up for labour?
One day of speech nah mean nothing if hotel workers getting short-changed and nobody stepping in.
SMH
Yeah they still practicing slavery in little Antigua and there is no upror from the masses. It seems like they like it so.
WAIT!!!!!!! So they not paying people when they off on holidays? But they not making sense. Pay the damn people
Did not even remember they had a queen show. Hope you get your prizes before next year
But almost all private Employers in Antigua dont pay Holiday ..So what is the noise..That is common here. Almost all Private employers dont pay this.