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Social Security Shortfalls: Employers Still Failing to Remit Deductions
Antigua and Barbuda’s government has acknowledged ongoing concerns over employers failing to remit Social Security contributions, despite legal obligations to do so.
During Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maurice Merchant, confirmed that while deductions are being made from employees’ salaries, some businesses are not transferring those funds to the Social Security Board.
“The inspectors at the scheme have been working tirelessly to ensure that remittances are being paid,” Merchant said, but admitted enforcement remains limited, with current efforts focused on persuasion rather than prosecution.
Employees are being encouraged to inquire about their contribution status, as many only discover discrepancies when applying for benefits or pensions.
“According to the law, if remittances are not made, reports can be filed, and the matter escalated to the courts,” he said. However, he added that the current approach prioritises dialogue and voluntary compliance.
The issue, while not new, remains a major concern for workers, particularly in the private sector, who fear that their long-term benefits could be compromised by employer non-compliance.
When asked whether actual enforcement and prosecutions are taking place, Merchant admitted that such measures are being carried out “on a lesser scale,” as the scheme continues to opt for engagement over sanctions in most cases.
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union and other labour representatives have previously called for stronger enforcement measures, including fines and public disclosure of delinquent employers.
The government has not yet signalled whether it plans to shift its approach, but officials say the matter remains under review as part of broader discussions on strengthening public trust in social protection systems.
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Many Syrians employers deduct from their workers and those workers when ask for a letter from Social Security don’t have contributions from that Employer, but the employers deduct the money from their salary already. Once they request a letter from Social Security NO CONTRIBUTIONS. They keep the money.
Strange the government clamping down on this, when they are the biggest offenders. When government workers go and check the last paid contribution is from 2 or so years ago. But dem wa kill the private business place. I totally agree every one should pay but u haffu clean up from your house first before you go abroad.
…. how much does thr government owe for their workers?
This is far more pronounced than it would seem and it is not the business of the Trade Unions to police this. Social Security must take up the mantle and prosecute companies, businesses, Government and individuals who continually make deductions from workers salary/wages and literally pocket them. That is why bodies like Social Security must be independent and work in a sovereign and nonpartisan way, even of Government. Social Security Board must take Government and the other Statutory Bodies to court and demand that they pay over to the board all deductions made from workers salaries on a monthly basis. Employees of government and Statutory bodies must take matters into their own hands and demand that their monthly deductions are paid over to the Social Security Board. It is a very sad thing when the government and its Statutory Bodies are the biggest violators in this issue.
This is far more pronounced than it would seem and it is not the business of the Trade Unions to police this. Social Security must take up the mantle and prosecute companies, businesses, Government and individuals who continually make deductions from workers salary/wages and literally pocket them. That is why bodies like Social Security must be independent and work in a sovereign and nonpartisan way, even of Government. Social Security Board must take Government and the other Statutory Bodies to court and demand that they pay over to the board all deductions made from workers salaries on a monthly basis. Employees of government and Statutory bodies must take matters into their own hands and demand that their monthly deductions be paid over to the Social Security Board. It is a very sad thing when the government and its Statutory Bodies are the biggest violators in this issue.
This is something the government should be more forceful with. Most people get a very small sum from Social Security because most employers pay very small wages and on top of that lots of them are always delinquent when it comes paying their contributions. Bring down the hammer on them
This has been going on forever and is abetted by the lack of competent and honest management at Social Security and I can add Medical Benefits. Many of the inspectors are corrupt and dishonest. They take food, goods and money from the businesses. But I remember the PM excusing this type of corruption as.part of the system. Most of the Syrian and Chinese businesses pay below minimum wage and no statutory payments and they are never touched. Most of the contractors pay nothing and are never touched because of laziness by the inspectors. I have one employee and I have another local friens with 2 employees. We are in St. John’s and we get hassled and checked at least 3 to 4 times per year. Antigua will never change. The politicians are corrupt and everyone in the system is just following their lead. Soon it will be in our DNA.
Only now the voices of the union is being heard….? Is it that the agony that our pensioners are feeling is now knocking your door.
It reminds of a well known radio personality whose voice was never heard about the ills of SLBMC but when the fate came knocking his door concerning his love one then the world heard his voice…
Only those in the kitchen feels the heat
Non payment of social security is something that a subsidiary of certain off shore bank (recently in litigation) was doing for several years. Inquiries were made and staff during were let go.