“Minimum Wage Set to Rise Again as Government Prioritizes Worker Welfare”
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans for another increase in Antigua and Barbuda’s minimum wage, reinforcing his government’s commitment to improving workers’ livelihoods.
This would mark the third wage hike under his administration, demonstrating its focus on ensuring equitable economic growth.
“Very shortly, we’ll be increasing the minimum wage again,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting his administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance living standards.
Browne emphasized that the wage increases are part of a broader strategy to ensure that workers benefit from the country’s economic progress.
In addition to raising the minimum wage, the Prime Minister noted the government’s consistent track record of public sector pay increases. “At no point in the history of the public sector have public servants gotten these types of routine increases,” he said.
He added that workers in the public sector have never needed to strike or agitate for raises during his tenure, as negotiations have been proactive and productive.
“We will commence negotiations for yet another increase, and hopefully, we can pay that by next year,” Browne stated.
While he refrained from giving a firm commitment on timing, he reassured public servants that his government remains dedicated to ensuring fair compensation. “As the economy grows, we want public servants and workers in general to share equitably in the gains.”
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda also called on private sector employers to emulate the government’s approach to wage increases.
“They are the most significant asset that we have, both in the public and private sectors, and they too must share equitably in the gains of the country,” he urged.
This announcement aligns with the government’s broader economic policies, which have included increased public spending and enhanced fiscal responsibility, to stimulate sustainable growth and improve the well-being of citizens.
The planned wage increase comes amid the government’s broader efforts to boost economic resilience, improve employment conditions, and ensure the gains from the nation’s economic recovery are felt by all segments of society.
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“WHILE THE PRIME MINISTER DID NOT COMMIT TO A SPECIFIC TIMELINE, HE EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD IMPLEMENT THE NEXT PAY INCREASE BY 2025. “I’M NOT GIVING A FIRM COMMITMENT, BUT I WANT TO SIGNAL TO PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO FIGHT US. AS THE ECONOMY GROWS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE YOUR PAY,” HE SAID.
How did this spawn a heading: Minimum Wage Set to Increase Again as Government Prioritizes Worker Welfare.
Maybe I missed something in the story.
Under a differnt dispensation people would be protesting the minimum wage but now the government is taking the bull by the horn
Teacher too will get another adjustment?
As an immigrant not even I earn the minimum wage?
The issue is the rate of pay in the hotel industry not the minimum wage. who in Antigua earn 1200 a month, not even security guards.
SEVERAL MINIMUM WAGE AND SALARY INCREASES UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION MEANS
1 INFLATION HAS A CONSTANT UPWARDS TRAJECTORY.
2 THE VALUE OF THE EC DOLLAR IS DIMINISHING..
IF ONE EC DOLLAR REAL VALUE 85 CENTS IN 2017, THE VALUE OF OF IT IN 2025 IS 65 CENTS.
ANTIGUA IS DESTROYING THE VALUE OF THE 3C DOLLAR AND IN REALITY IS THE WEAKEST IN THE CURRENCY REGION.
PER CAPITA AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION IS AT IYS LOWEST.
PER CAPITA ANTIGUA EXPORTS IS AT ITS LOWEST.
THE RESIDUAL EFFECTS OF THE INCREASE IN TOURISM FIGURES DOES NOT TRANSLATE TO INCREASE ECCONOMICAL BENEFITS. THE COST OF THE INCREASE MUST BE CALCULATED TO GET THE NET VALUE.
WE KNOW CANNOT BE FOOLED
I am happy to hear that there will be another increase very soon, because we who works in the private security Field, really need all the increase that we can get at this moment….
Meanwhile supervisors making more than managers at hotels fix it please l.
How about reducing the duty and and the 17% sales tax on everything. You want to increase the minimum wage BUT the cost of living is unbelievable and keeps rising. Why aren’t we allowed to take control of some of the monthly costs like electricity? We can use solar generators to reduce a monthly bill – why aren’t we paying Hadeed and Yearwood and all of you for our electricity? We have zero green initiatives on the island that benefit the citizens.
“He added that workers in the public sector have never needed to strike or agitate for raises during his tenure, as negotiations have been proactive and productive.”
What Mr. PM need to ensure is that ALL PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS benefit from the increases negotiated by the unions! And stop this foolish pronouncements about “ELIGIBLE PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES” when it comes time to ‘pay increases, and back pay or bonus or inducements or whatever name they go by.