Dear Editor, I write to bring to public attention the troubling exploitation of non-national workers within Antigua and Barbuda’s construction industry.
A recent incident at a major resort, involving employees of a private enterprise there, highlights the vulnerability of these laborers when they attempt to assert their rights.
Two Jamaican workers raised legitimate concerns about being required to work excessively long hours without receiving overtime pay. Instead of their complaints being addressed, they were punished.
The very next day, on September 10th, both were told not to report for duty. They were summoned to a meeting at noon, ordered to vacate their living quarters, and instructed to prepare for deportation.
One worker described how his personal belongings were thrown on the floor and his bed removed as part of a hasty and unlawful eviction carried out by associates of the man in charge. By the following morning, September 11th, both men had been forced onto a flight out of Antigua.
One of the workers filed a complaint at a police station. Yet, instead of offering protection, the responding officer called the man’s wife to inform her that the worker “had a case against them.”
Such actions highlight not only an abuse of power but also a glaring failure to protect the rights of these men.
Equally troubling is the fact that these workers had been employed for months before their work permits were even processed, an outright violation of immigration and labor laws.
Furthermore, deductions were reportedly taken from their salaries to cover rent and even to repay airline tickets for their initial travel to Antigua.
While a complaint has reportedly been lodged at Sandals, this issue goes far beyond one employer or one project. It reflects a systemic problem where migrant workers are targeted precisely because of their lack of knowledge of local laws and their fear of retaliation.
It is high time for greater scrutiny and accountability in how non-national workers are treated. Exploitation of the vulnerable should never be allowed to hide in silence. Antigua and Barbuda must do better to uphold the dignity and rights of every worker within its borders.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Individual
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Judge Judy, not my favorite person, personally, always summed it up best.
“You’re a tenant! Nobody is forcing you to live there! If you don’t like it……THEN MOVE!!!!”
Logic plain and simple.
I sympathize with these workers but a few things bother me….
“instructed to prepare for deportation”
“both men had been forced onto a flight out of Antigua”
I am pretty sure that only immigration can deport persons and this is done after a process and how do you force someone on a flight?
“Equally troubling is the fact that these workers had been employed for months before their work permits were even processed, an outright violation of immigration and labor laws”
This last statement is worrisome. Why did the workers start working before they got a work permit? In this instance, both the company and the worker are wrong.
I suggest families of these workers go to the Labour Department and even the Jamaican consulate if there is one in Antigua because this story doesn’t make sense.
If what is outlined in this article, is factual these workers have a legitimate case that should be pursued. Regardless of where you originate from on this planet all humans have rights. These Jamaicans are just like us trying to make a living to feed themselves and their families. They shouldn’t be threatened with deportation. If they work extra hours, they must be paid. This is the law of our land.
This is how things work in Antigua and Barbuda. You as a concerned citizen can only write anonymously. Should you do otherwise you will get the treatment if you follow my drift.
Until the society undergoes massive change exploitation such as this will continue without consequences. The Do Good Organizations are about photo opt and hardly anything else
The fact that the entry point of the complaint (Police) in the legal system immediately notifies the accused enabling them to take illegal actions against the workers tells the society that Antigua and Barbuda.
As a concerned individual my advice is for you and others to work on institutional change.
Form an organization to help exploited workers.
In many areas around the world it’s religious organizations that steps in to help exploited worker’s.
No such religious organization is likely to come about and be effective in bringing about change in Antigua and Barbuda
Exploiting workers is a work wide culture. African women are being exploited in the most devastating and debasing ways in the Arab states.
There are international organizations who are attempting to help exploited workers. Join them and create a local chapter.
Immigration does not have the legal authority to deport anyone. This is a fallacy. Only the Court can issue a deportation order. This is the system being manipulated by rich and influential people and by the use of bribes. And no Antiguan or Barbudan should support this, as some of us have been subjected to this same abuse in the USVI and the United States, where as immigrants, mostly illegal, we or our parents, were and are subjected to this same abuse. It is amazing how some of us support the abuse of people who look just like us. So sad.
Your government has been complicit in all these illegal happenings, hence your statement. If those trafficked persons had only towed the line, they would’ve been around for the next general elections to cast their votes but it’s still ok because another group will be sought to replace them. Their government needs to alert the ILO on the matter.
Need to start blasting these businesses by name. I’ll start. Lingies, pay the taxes, social security and medical benefits for your staff and stop paying them cash under the table so you can avoid costs.
Omg. I don’t like hearing of these things cause many of us travel overseas to make a better life for ourselves and children.
That sounds like security workers. Stop treat people bad you never know where u will end up
If you don’t like it, go home. Antiguan jobs for Antiguans!
Faithful National #1 has surfaced, I was expecting to hear something on the crime situation and the Guttersnipe Leadership that exists in Antigua
The problem is that some of these shady businesses and owners depend on you NOT knowing your rights as a worker.
I urge all workers whether local or foreign to know the law and your rights in the country that you are working in. Ask questions, visit offices and read! It’s not just about making money. These businesses will ride you until you can’t take anymore and then find the next victim.
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