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ABWU Urges Crackdown on Employers Who Fail to Remit Social Security Contributions
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) has issued a stern warning to employers who violate workers’ rights by deducting Social Security contributions from employees’ wages, yet fail to remit those contributions to the Social Security Scheme as required by law.
In letters addressed to the Antigua and Barbuda Employers’ Federation (ABEF) and the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), the ABWU expressed serious concern over the impact of this persistent and troubling practice on workers.
Deputy General Secretary of the ABWU, Chester Hughes said:
“Withholding or delaying these contributions is not only illegal but morally reprehensible!
It directly undermines the financial security and future wellbeing of hardworking men and women, including single mothers who have every right to expect that their contributions are being paid and recorded.”
The Union warned that this form of disenfranchisement has long-term consequences for workers, especially those nearing retirement or who may be forced to rely on benefits due to illness, injury, or unemployment.
“Many employees only discover the non-payment after trying to make a claim in times of great need. This betrayal erodes workers’ financial security and undermines public confidence in both employers and the social protection system.”
The ABWU is calling on the ABEF and the ABHTA to take immediate action by urging its members to comply with the laws governing Social Security contributions.
The Union is also appealing to the Government and the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board to step up enforcement efforts and hold delinquent employers accountable.
“This should include more robust inspection protocols, stiffer penalties for non-compliance, and public disclosure of offending employers,” the letter detailed.
The ABWU stands ready to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that this matter is addressed with the urgency and seriousness it demands.
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That is so unfair to the employees. If you deduct the money pay the remittance. Stop stealing from people who already don’t have
We also need better systems to track payments and notify employees when their contributions fall behind.
The government needs to publish a list of companies doing this. Let the public know who’s playing dirty.
The hotel sector is the biggest culprit. I said what I said. They deduct the money and not pay SS. Call them by their name
It’s wage theft, plain and simple. Employers who withhold workers’ money and don’t pay it into Social Security are stealing livelihoods and futures. Enough is enough!
It was about damn time dey too effing tied. You deduct and do t pay it in
Social Security field officers need the help of
1. Politicians not to get into the way to protect those employers who violate the law
2. Bailiffs who can assist the SS field officers simliar like what FLOW, COURTS & other established business places do
3. A faster court system to adjudicate the delinquent cases
Isn’t that theif?
Where is the criminal investigation into this? But as usual, the corrupt politicians will always cover for their friends.
Again…crime prevention is not this administration forte. Far from it.
It’s time we take a closer look at the practices of some of these hotels. There’s a troubling trend of constantly importing people from abroad to fill top positions, while so many capable and talented individuals right here in Antigua are being overlooked. What’s even more disheartening is that some of these hotels already have locals within their organizations who have the potential—but they’d rather sideline them than pay them fairly. We deserve better. Our people deserve better.”
So all these years when Jolly Beach Resort was not paying in their contributions the ABWU was sleeping. Because it had reached in the millions of dollars. And what about the other contributions such as Medical Benefit and Education Levy. Is the union not concern about that. I wonder of these Statutory companies should not published at their year end report which companies are the biggest culprits. We know government is the biggest. But then the can be excused because the law also placed on them the responsibility to find the money for any shortfall of the funds.