Non-Nationals who were promised work permits from the Antigua and Barbuda government are in Limbo

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Uncertainty Looms for Non-Nationals Following Amnesty Declaration in Antigua and Barbuda

Non-nationals who participated in the amnesty program of 2022 in Antigua and Barbuda find themselves in a state of emergency as promised exemptions from work permits seem to be in jeopardy.

Despite assurances during the campaign leading up to the elections by Comrade leader The Most Honorable Gaston Browne, Caricom members, and Espanolan nationals were promised a seamless process without the need for work permits starting from May 2023.

However, as the year comes to a close, this pledge appears unfulfilled, leaving non-nationals in a state of uncertainty and frustration.

Numerous Caricom members who participated in the amnesty program were informed that a visit to the Labor Department would clarify whether a work permit was necessary.

The ambiguity surrounding this matter has prompted calls for action from the Attorney General, who also serves as the Minister of Immigration.

“I’m urging the Attorney General to provide a public statement addressing this matter and, ideally, presenting a structured solution to alleviate the growing concerns among non-nationals,” said one affected individual.

Adding to the diplomatic embarrassment and confusion, individuals who visited the Labor Department were shocked to learn that their previously issued amnesty cards were no longer considered valid.

This unforeseen development has left non-nationals who have been residing in Antigua and Barbuda for four years and beyond feeling misled and disheartened.

As the year draws to a close, affected individuals anxiously await clarification on their legal status and hope for a resolution that aligns with the promises made during the electoral campaign.

The uncertainty surrounding work permits and the validity of amnesty cards is now a pressing issue that demands urgent attention from the authorities.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. There’s no need to be in limbo. Guyana needs 200K workers. Go to Guyana. Antigua has nothing to offer. The ALP has killed the economy.

    • Do you have athority to be the one telling someone where to work? How you mean go to Guyana 🤔 is this really your place?

  2. Come on! Pull the other leg, this was never EVER about non-nationals getting work permits. Wasn’t it really all about keeping Gaston Browne and the ABLP government in power, due to the non-nationals voting for them?

    AGAIN, I COULD BE WRONG … 😉

  6. I’m so sick and ashamed of some of you Antiguans… Seems like there’s no Antiguans living in another country than Antigua 🤔. Each time there’s an issue with the Amnesty program holders some of you all come on here trying to degrade those who have been granted Amnesty by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. It’s no fault of these persons. Your Government granted them this gesture and for the Government to then ignore the way immigration and the labour officers are demanding a work permit after this said Government stated otherwise is wrong in every way. So there’s nothing to be so uptight about or there’s no reason for some of you all to come to kill and boo persons about something that was the Governments decision. The government gave three years to caricom nationals to sort they status out and had ask the immigration officials to allow for the program to take it’s course but each time you go these persons send you to get a work permit before the process can be started. Which was not the case on the government side. So tell me who’s to blame for all this mix up. What about some of you all put yourself in these said people’s shoes. Would some of you Antiguans behave this way🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔. Remember we are all human beings. Some of you guys have children and relatives you never know where they will end up. So to you guys with such insults think before speaking on any issues that’s not No nationals fault.

    • I hear you @ Concern Citizen, but don’t you EVEN think that the timing (always around by-elections and General Election) is rather odd???

      WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE ☕ NAH …

    • Reply to Concerned Citizen
      There are Antiguans living all over the world, especially New York. But Antigua is not the US or Europe where one can maintain a low profile and hustle, knowing that when immigration catches up with you, you will be either thrown in jail or on a plane back home. Antigua should be selective about whom it lets in the country and let people in only with required skills. This open door policy and then granting amnesty at election time must stop. What middle class person is leaving their country to come to Antigua without a job. This government cares only about staying in power and they will use whatever means to achieve it.

  7. My only concern is that these people can’t get a work permit so how are they supporting themselves? Did the people granted amnesty have their backgrounds checked. No housing, no jobs or minimum wage jobs, guns readily available. No wonder people are fearful to sleep at night and business people scared sh..

    • Reading some of these comments really show how dunce some ppl are. Working within that environment these ppl contribute more to Antigua than the average Antiguan…do a rough calculation (@ immigration)of $150 x 80 persons (price varies) and this is just in one day.

      The average Antiguan wants an office job. If they not making over $2100 a month they don’t want the job, they rather sit @ home waiting on hand outs.

      Antiguans go to the promise land and have to work more than 40 hrs a week just to get by. If they have their own space is somewhere they wouldn’t rent if they were home.

      We need to get off our lazy lub handouts entitled asses and contribute more to the system then speak negative about persons from other countries who come here to make a better life

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