Undocumented Workers Warned as Government Centralizes Work Permit Approvals
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that undocumented workers found operating without valid authorization risk removal from the country, as the government moves to centralize work permit approvals at the Cabinet level.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said the new approach is aimed at tightening oversight and ensuring that employment opportunities are protected for Antiguans and Barbudans.
He cautioned that individuals working without proper permits, along with employers who bypass the legal process, could face enforcement action.
The prime minister said Cabinet will now play a more direct role in reviewing work permit applications to ensure that positions are filled locally wherever possible and that permits are granted only when no qualified national is available.
“We have to protect our people,” Browne said, stressing that the country remains open to legitimate foreign investment and skilled expatriates, but must uphold immigration laws and labour protections.
The move forms part of a broader policy shift to expand local participation in the economy while strengthening compliance and regulatory enforcement.
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Facial of Gaston brown: you undocumented workers reach out to us now, we in trouble and need votes right now. Hence the reason I put work permits in cabinet or straight up in my hands and my ministers. I get the sense that the civil servants want to run things right in order to allow the real born Antiguans to get jobs, but we don’t mind putting Antiguans out of work for your votes, your votes may stop us from seeing jail because of our enrichment scheme and namco.
Mi naa lie things nuh look Gud. Smh
This statement by Gaston is a slick move. He is giving Antiguans that he is looking into their interest while at the same time giving people who are here and working illegally that he is also trying to help them. This is just a plot to get votes from both sides.
The Ultimate SHARLATAN is pulling every trick out of the book. He must be really desperate
Step 10 towards full authoritarianism
This place has gone mad
How is this Dictator concerned about us by presiding over a neverending amnesty? He went further to tighten his hold by taking sole responsibility for the process. I hope they are aware that work permits and character record fees will be increased if he wins the next elections but right now, it’s work permits for votes. The Elections are here.
When is the election,GASSY MAN?
Will the PM of tightening employment be extended to sex trade outlets, that employs and housed female at their joints? Maybe if the PM were to be serious about tighten g the employment law we would see less ‘working girls’. Additionally, and would see more police patrolling than being at where houses whilst on duty.
Only Caribbean and African workers need to fear. No
Antiguan government has ever or will ever seriously go after persons of any other ethnicity who work illegally or over stay. Labour does not go into any Chinese establishment or even breath the air of English Harbour.
And by the way PM, some persons are forced to work illegally because your system is broken and highly inefficient. For instance I have friends both Guyanese and Jamaican who have done everything right and gone through the process to citizenship. However over 2 years after completing and paying fees for their interview process at Immigration, their final documents have not been sent over to the Citizenship department. And Immigration Chief has said on the media that the process takes 6 weeks. And I also know persons who documents have been sitting at Citizenship.for 2 and 3 years. So fix the system before you talk.
Deport everybody that nuh have proper job to begin with..free up the nation…and those that do have a proper job,,,if an Antiguan can take there place deport them too l…free up the place man,,,too much a ppl yah..the roads are congested,,,,me sure that a ga drop land prices,rent prices,all the prices fi wi
Why do we hate on each other so much!!
I remember coming back to Jamaica in 2015
Which i had bring two antiguans with me….
Which is still here living working …and no one hate
On them are treat them any different…it’s like they were born here….and I love them has if the are my siblings…I wouldn’t change that for nothing….but reading some of these comments my lord.why!!
Pm I will say this to say that ….
First you need to check out the employers first….
95 percent don’t wanna sign a work permit
Sometimes the things the workers go through….smh..
You have places
They don’t do work permits
They don’t pay sick days
They don’t pay over time
They don’t pay holidays….
They are some that want to do the right …BUT THE EMPLOYERS LEAVE THEM WITH NO CHOICE…
AND THE SYSTEM IS MESS UP …CAUSE THEY KNOW WHO TO PAY…..THATS WHY I FOR ONE LEFT.
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