Minister Confirms Government Will Study Four-Day Work Week
Labour Minister Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin says the government will explore the feasibility of a four-day work week, following growing interest from both public and private sector leaders.
Sir Steadroy made the announcement during a Labour Day interview, stating that recent conversations with permanent secretaries, business owners, and trade union representatives had prompted the Ministry of Labour to give serious consideration to the idea.
“We’re going to conduct a scientific study to determine whether a four-day work week would result in increased productivity,” the minister told ABS. “If the output remains the same or improves while enhancing family life, it’s worth pursuing.”
He noted that the initiative is still in its exploratory phase but stressed the importance of data-driven analysis and stakeholder engagement before any policy decisions are made.
“A number of employers and social partners have asked us to examine the model. We want to see whether this approach can work in Antigua and Barbuda without compromising work standards or wages,” he added.
Sir Steadroy also acknowledged that the conversation around alternative work arrangements reflects the government’s broader goal of supporting families. “The welfare of the family is paramount,” he said. “If a flexible work model allows parents to spend more time with their children and still meet job expectations, it’s worth evaluating.”
The minister praised local trade unionist Ralph Potter for championing the concept through his newly formed People’s Union, noting that the proposal had gained traction among younger workers seeking a better work-life balance.
While no timeline has been set for the conclusion of the study, Sir Steadroy assured the public that any reforms would be the result of wide consultation with unions, employers, and civil society groups.
“Nothing is going to be rushed,” he said. “But if there’s consensus that it benefits the country, then the government will act accordingly.”
The proposal comes amid a broader review of Antigua and Barbuda’s labour laws, including updates to the Labour Code, minimum wage, paternity leave, and occupational safety legislation.
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Givernment will aslo consider paving the streets with gold and giving every living person a million dollars.
They will also consider bringing back the dead to life.
Labour is known to make the impossible possible.
Whenever elections approach labour is known to make grandiose promises.
Since they know that their promises are unrealistic the walk around campaigning with cheque books.
That’s how they sell their promises and win votes of the gullible.
They sell you the promises and give you the money to buy it.
They inherited realistic promises from the UWP.
They have killed all of them.
Instead they use money as their main campaign tool.
Richard Lewis and the UPP will not make grandiose promises.
They will give reasonable expectations.
Antigua will be rescued from the hands of the bankrupt ALP.
I’d love an extra day off
Less working days ,less money
Best they leave things how they are because will the rapid increase in oour cost of leaving, we will sick if that happens
I’m not against four day work week… but I think we are all a where of the culture here in antigua, while some play while at work, poor customer service, entitlement issues , half day on Friday’s… my point is that some of the government workers already work four days or less a week …
What we/they need is to be uprooted and replanted in a different pot…
I wonder if we’ll just end up working longer days instead.
what about sectors that need people 24/7? How will that work?
Is now we would be under paid
how are they going to make it work without affecting productivity?
This seems like a great idea in theory, but I’m not sure how it’ll work for all industries. Not all jobs can be done in four days.
The only question i have is” How much is this going to cost the government to implement? Are we sure it’s worth the investment?”
Hmmm idk how i feel about this …. Am i the only on with mixed emotions
I honestly that we in the Caribbean don’t need a four days work week,we need longer working hours,so we can pay our bills, especially we who have to pay rent…
It this should pass into law,the government will have to increase our wages
That’s the problem, government wants to increase wages, but companies want to cut work days to actually pay less, so anyway you put it you the working individual will be stuck in the same boat.
This makes no sense. Why not improve the standard of living and raise our pay? Smdh
People are at times so negative you spend more time at work with only 1 month vacation, an extra day off with the same salary is a good idea.
Well most employees would gladly accept and prefer a 4 day work week as it gives them more home and family time. But Government must first seek value for money. Implementing a 4 day week could have a very negative impact on an already low productivity in the public sector. If you are trying to match the already low 5 day work week in 4 days, it would further increase pressure on employees, potentially leading to a further drop in work quality and even more workplace stress. Perhaps now is the deal time for government to focus more on employee productivity before trying to simply condense idleness and laziness in 4 days.
Most government workers do no work. Some of them clock in and then go to their regular job. I know a young man who gets paid by Public Works but actually works at Jolly Beach. We have 15,000 persons employed by government in return for their X when the public service needs about 3,500. So giving an extra day off makes no difference.
Like the labour department work permit section it’s like every other day they have a problem sewage scent air con nit working cashier nit there please don’t get me wrong they work hard well some of them Ms. Francis is the best worker Ms. Thomas and the young girl. The new supervisor need help always look frustrated like why I’m here. Minister of labour please do something about it. Cashier close at 2 and you can’t go there 1:45 because Cashier close off even though they call to tell you your permit is ready by 1:30 why call at that hour if you know you are not gonna let me in the commission of labour please open your eyes and look at that department because it’s like they began working the 4day work week.
Like the labour department work permit section began thr 4day work week already because it’s like everyother day the have a problem sewage scent air-conditioning not working cashier not there and the list goes on and on don’t get me wrong they have some good workers Ms. Francis is the best very polite Ms. Thomas and the young girl the new supervisor needs help she always look frustrated like why am i here Cashier close off at 2pm and you can’t go there at 1:45 because she close of already even though they call you at 1:30 to let you know your permit is ready why call at that time if I can’t come in at 1:45 the minister and the commissioner please open your eyes and take control because people need their work permit stamp you are not making no revenue now we are not paying for our permits but we still need it some come on do your work it’s like the 4 day work week began with the labour work permit section and another thing they are always short staff why??