For many working women, maternity leave is meant to be a protected period — one where financial support helps ease the transition into motherhood. However, for contributors awaiting maternity leave benefits, that protection often exists only in theory.
Contributors are advised that maternity benefits should be paid within six to eight weeks after submission, once all documentation is verified and approved. In reality, however, payments frequently take three to four months. The reason often given is the need for final sign-off by the Head of the Board.
This raises a fundamental question: why are contributors required to pay their monthly contributions on time without fail, yet must wait months to receive benefits they are legally entitled to?
Contributions are deducted consistently and promptly, regardless of personal circumstances. There is no flexibility or delay on the side of contributors. Yet when it is time for benefits to be paid — particularly maternity benefits, which support mothers during one of the most financially demanding periods of their lives — delays appear to be normalized.
Maternity leave is not a luxury. It is a critical period involving medical expenses, childcare preparation, and reduced household income. Prolonged delays in benefit payments place unnecessary financial strain on families who have already met their obligations to the system.
If internal approval processes are causing repeated delays, then those processes must be reviewed. Contributors should not bear the burden of administrative bottlenecks, especially when expectations regarding payment timelines are clearly communicated but routinely unmet.
Social protection systems are built on trust — trust that contributions made today will translate into timely support when needed. When benefits are delayed for months without clear accountability or resolution, that trust is eroded.
The question remains: if contributors can be held to strict timelines for payments, should the same standard not apply to the institutions responsible for paying benefits?
This is not merely an administrative issue. It is a matter of fairness, accountability, and respect for working mothers who depend on the system they faithfully support.
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What a shocking state of affairs.
One of the most important times for women is the time of motherhood; and you are telling me that those who have made valid contributions are treated like this when Maternity Benefits are very much needed.
This government and the relevant authorities should be hanging their heads in shame.
Why, in this day and age, is it that workers, pensioners and now mothers are having to wait for salaries/overtime, pensions and now Maternity Benefits respectively.
I can guarantee to you right here and now, that our politicians DO NOT have any delays in receiving their bulge-busting pay packets!
And the country keeps voting for these negligent YEMELESSES – what is wrong with us?
We Antiguans must put a stop to this self flagellation at the next General Election…
Am one of those mothers.
I never imagined that after having a baby I’d be spending my time chasing maternity benefits.
Waiting since October 2025, with no updates and no returned calls. I’m now set to return to work and still nothing.
This system is failing parents when we need support the most.
You will be waiting for a while!!! I had sick leave in June 2025! Not up to this day have I been paid. When I call, they don’t know when and can’t say. I called in December, not yet. Called early January, not yet. January done! So it’s February. How can my contributions be taken so promptly and when its time to be paid it’s going on a year????? Will the government look into this? Since it seems like election is near, hopefully this is something that will gain their attention or person’s will think twice next elections. Ham and Turkey at Christmas time doesn’t cut it. There’s gotta be more concern from the powers that be. Our votes count!
I’m glad they are bringing this Topic. But just WAIT. This isn’t a Today issue. This is a long time problem and is one of the tings that I advocate to put the finger on it. MATERNITY BENEFITS in all forms. Nothing stop us to support a better Maternity Program in Antigua. We allow all government since 1981 to don’t give proper attention to Maternity Benefits, isn’t only about getting some payment, is about all tings that can be done to support a Mother with a new born human being. The budget for the government into this matter is laughable. That is why thousand of women feel like they are getting 0 support. We are trashing millions and millions of dollars every single year since 1981 in lot of things, but when Maternity topic comes up, is a bunch of “Good” Speeches in Parliament, but the final budget tell other story, it show the lack of commitment from the people that are in charge in the Government to support in better ways the Maternity in Antigua. We need results no populist speeches.
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