Prime Minister Gaston Browne has dismissed two key campaign proposals from the United Progressive Party, arguing they lack planning and financial credibility.
The UPP has pledged a four-day public sector work week by 2027 and the removal of vehicle import duties. Browne said his government is already studying a structured version of a shorter work week with stakeholder input, and criticised the opposition for announcing the idea without groundwork.
On vehicle duties, he noted that major concessions already exist for groups such as taxi operators and public servants, and questioned how a full removal—costing tens of millions—would be funded. He also pointed to signs the proposal had been scaled back.
Browne described both measures as election-driven promises and warned they could strain public finances, contrasting them with his administration’s record of fiscal discipline.
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I just commented on this topic a few days ago, after Pringle brought it to the table as an election promise, a promise that will never work in Wadadli. I made my points then and I still stand by them all. A long 10hr day for an Antiguan will be a rough one, and most important will be what the starting time and ending time looks like, plus since it will remain a Monday to Friday work week, a weekly day off must be assigned to every employee, now will this employee be granted the same day off every week or will it be a different one every week? and how do you go about deciding who gets what? you will then have to find employees who will be loyal and totally committed for this 10hr shift to work. Long days, early mornings, getting home late every evenings, so the normal family life as we see it will be interrupted, and all this without any over time. Yes the three days off is a benefit, but it all depends on the days and how they are issued. So as the PM stated, this will take a whole lot of careful planning, but in an election, candidates especially an opposition leader will say anything.
Speak for yourself, your circumstance and that of those surrounding you does not apply to all and common sense would dictate that not all businesses would or could follow the same mandate.
Yesterday I heard the Radio Host who referred to his boss as Lanny Bozo, go off on Pringle about his plan to introduce a four day work week. I can’t repeat his gamble because it was just that. Lanny Bozo came afterwards and claimed that they were the first to bring that concept to the fore and the UPP stole it but they don’t know how to work it. The Attorney General came earlier in the week and angrily said that it was their idea; so why are the ALP followers who don’t understand what’s happening, confusing themselves and the issue.
A 4 day work week with 8 hour workdays may require turning the entire education sector upside down to adjust for the lost day. That is not a simple undertaking. Was there any consultation with education officials by the relevant politicians? On the other hand, if the other workdays turn to 10 hours to keep total hours the same, if parents are working for 10 hours, where would the children be for those TEN hours? Surely not at school? Studies show that small children should not spend much more than 5 hours away from their primary caregivers otherwise their cortisol levels increase leading to illness later in life. Children should be able to go home to their families, play, do a little homework etc. before nightfall. Decisions on workdays must factor in family life and the children.
Gaston is sure right that the 4 day work week didn’t originate with UPP, but that only show it will be a government for the people, they listen to the people unlike you Gaston who seem to be a god, you have all the superior logic, everybody else a dunce according to your book. You Gaston never listen to people, even when Canada warn you about clapping visa on us because of passport sales you didn’t listen, and then come america warning and you still don’t listen and caused isa visa travel restriction. It is clear the a UPP administration would have listen and averted this visa restrictions that came about because Gaston doesn’t listen.
Ok UPP continue listen to the people and implement their wishes like the four day work week.
Gaston said any good idea the Opposition put forward he would also implement, it was sometime last week. This fellow just do not want to lose power, what is he afraid of? I never seen anyone so desperate but all will be revealed in time. There is a saying every debt must be paid
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