PM: Strain to pay salaries and wages increases month-by-month

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Prime Minister Gaston Browne

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says it is becoming more difficult to pay salaries and wages.

He says however, salaries and wages for the month of August will be on time.

Browne was speaking in a video interview with Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant.

In the clip, Browne says just how much of a challenge it has become.

Last week, Prime Minister Gaston Browne in an interview, spoke on a variety of issues including the management of COVID-19, capacity for meeting obligations during the pandemic and vaccines accessibility.

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37 COMMENTS

  1. The Failed Experiment aka Top Dawg time to go into the over 2 billion CIP money. What happen the creative enrichment scheme took it all? This guy is a classic, repeat the same crap over and over. Let me point out some facts for him to ponder on, ALP move the wage bill from 285 million to 435 million, no minister has taken a pay cut, no stimulus for the citizens, no unemployment benefits for people who lost their job, the social programs your administration benefiting from now was implemented by the UPP, the CIP was created by the UPP. My question to the failed experiment aka top dawg what have you done in the past seven years that the entire country is benefiting and not just you and your old renegades? You are a colossal failure.

    • I see you have forgotten about:

      (a) The Port.

      (b) The University.

      (c) New employment in the Public Sector when the Private Sector just keep most of the tax
      concessions it receives without CREATING NEW JOBS.

      Would you prefer the persons who were taken on in the Public Sector to go thief?

      Let me stop here (for now).

      • BEEF what is really your point? The port project was formulated under the UPP and was being processed for implementation. Have you ever heard the term that government is continuous? Well this is a classic example of a new administration benefitting from the work of their predecessor. The present government has failed miserably to create new investments in the economy, hence it had no choice but to create jobs (many of them sinecures) in the public sector. What it needed to do is to properly stimulate the economy and provide serious incentives to the private sector to boost employment in that sector. Can you recall how the UPP Administration did it with the CABI (Construct Antigua and Barbuda Initiative) Project. That is just one example of how the present government needs to be thinking outside the box. Can you imagine the misery that a vast majority of the population would be experiencing now without the social programmes instituted by the UPP Administration? Anyway, BEEF government is continuous. Please wheel and come again with a more logical and factual submission.

        • Charles you really have the nerves. So now government is continuous when it suits you. Not when you were taking over in 2004. Yes, government is continuous thank God. Or we would have really callops years ago when you guys wrecked this country and took it to the brink of being a failed state. You guys had everything in the pipeline. Like the ABI Bank saga and the purchase of WIOC. I know all about that. For years you guys couldn’t solve the problems you were faced with. I still see poor Dwight Veneer almost getting a nervous breakdown as he saw the collapse of the entire banking sector of the OECS. Harold had no clue what to do. he relied heavy on Withfield and Rasona. But they also couldn’t help. And he was heavily in debt to the ABIB Directors. For they had supported the party over the year with millions of dollars. Especially when Everett Christian was the manager of the bank and gave them unsecured overdraft without board approval. Just because they couldn’t pay salaries and pensions. Listen I can let out some pretty detail transactions if you want me to. But that would put lots more people in trouble. Do you know how often Dwight summoned the board to St. Kitts? Was it not for the banking law at that time did not gave him the authority, ABIB would have been closed long time and many Antiguans and Barbudans would have lost their savings? I always wonder why Gaston never revealed the entire story to the public. All these guys and girls still living high in society. Thanks for the new Banking Act they can never sit on any board of a financial institution. But I don’t think they care about that. And when it comes to WIOC. That is laughable. Thank God you guys lost the election intime. Because the plan was to let Venezuela take control of WIOC. If that had happened and with the sanctions that are now in place, crapo would have smoked our pipe. So Charles just chill. Put up another fight this one will not fly. Harold and his entire bunch are a set of sorry ash inept people that have no clue how to run government. I would ask Gaston to create an internship program for you guys. So at least in the worst case scenario you guys and girls will have some experience and not wreck the country completely.

        • @ Tabor as usual a fine read AN INTELLECTUAL TREASURE TROVE .
          My so call regret is when you take on all these no teeth watch dogs on this forum you very seldom get a factual response better known as A WASTE OF TIME.

      • @Beef:What is your f–ing point? I have never used foul words on this medium.However,you bull dung has given me no other choices.I have a retired sibling in Antigua.It has been two freaking months and no Pensions paid from Social Security.I have been sending monies to him since last year.It is a good thing he has me to help him financially.The money in Social Security a Government owned entity belongs to the people.It was deducted out of their paychecks every damn paydays.Gaston Browne,I for one do not want to hear your weeping and gnashing of teeth.Both you and Beef should go and eat the Port and the University.What the hell do they do for hungry,unemployed,cannot get paid on time Pensioners.

    • The only failed experience was the UPP under Harold Lovell. And we have the facts to proof it. They took us straight to the IMF because they had no clue how to run the country. And again, they are telling this government to seek the help of the IMF. Sorry Lovell but the IMF is the lender of last resort. Not the minute things get tough.

      • @Sideline IMF was a 1.3% loan the port is US100 millon at 4% with a five year moratorium do the maths. The failed experiment took a loan of 6% and 20 million from MBS to payoff IMF for political mileage tell me if that made sense. We sure need that 20 million to fight covid now. I am convinced something is definitely wrong with the people who support this cult party.

        • @KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR
          It shows that you were an AWFUL student. You and Harold Lovell are the same. Hon. Gaston Browne performance is the best in the Caribbean. You just criticize because you have a BIG MOUTH. Take a look at the following ACCOMPLISHMENTS under Hon. Gaston Browne Leadership.

          NOVA SCOTIA BANK

          ROYAL BANK

          CIBC

          LIAT

          THE UNIVERSITY

          WEST INDIES OIL

          THE PORT

          more to come. So Knight just shut up.

          • @ Phillip.G.
            Dude, stand back and look at your list again? You sure you want to put that list as accomplishments for Gaston? Seriously?
            You have done more to hurt than help him by putting up that list. Yuh desperate so and so.

        • Perhaps you forgot about the Credit Swiss loan at 13% without an out clause. You guys love to go to the IMF. Let me tell you IMF may have low interest rate, but the other conditions are not so nice. So whatever it takes to pay them off you do that. And we will only go back in the very worst case. Lenders of last resort. And I don’t think IMF lends money for Capital investments. The World Bank does that. IMF give budgetary support.

      • BEEF what is really your point? The port project was formulated under the UPP and was being processed for implementation. Have you ever heard the term that government is continuous? Well this is a classic example of a new administration benefitting from the work of their predecessor. The present government has failed miserably to create new investments in the economy, hence it had no choice but to create jobs (many of them sinecures) in the public sector. What it needed to do is to properly stimulate the economy and provide serious incentives to the private sector to boost employment in that sector. Can you recall how the UPP Administration did it with the CABI (Construct Antigua and Barbuda Initiative) Project. That is just one example of how the present government needs to be thinking outside the box. Can you imagine the misery that a vast majority of the population would be experiencing now without the social programmes instituted by the UPP Administration? Anyway, BEEF government is continuous. Please wheel and come again with a more logical and factual submission.

        • @ CHARLESWORTH TABOR
          If the UPP was so great why They were voted out of office ? Tabor you sounded very IGNORANT. Does not make sense. UPP will lose all Their seats in 2023.

          • CORDE I really do not mind being sounding ignorant. Do you really want to know why the UPP lost the election? The answer is simply from the ALP buying votes. I had friend who came from New York and she was given $1500 by an ALP candidate to vote for him. That is just one example that can be multiplied over a thousand fold. That is how the ALP wins elections — by BRIBERY.

          • They were voted out of office because the people are fools and have been so use to the bad labour government that they cannot Appreciate good government. They took the bribe for free electricity thinking they wouldn’t have to pay ever.

      • FROM THE SIDELINE is going to the IMF for financial assistance a major sign of failure? Any country can experience balance of payments difficulty, especially small, open economies like ours with limited export potential. It is Gaston Browne’s pride why he has not gone to the IMF for help. You remember how he cussed out the IMF at Sandals exhibiting to the world his arrogance and idiocy. That is the reason he is reluctant to go to the IMF. If and when he does go to the IMF, I will be looking forward to the rationalization of people like you, BEEF, TENMAN, PHILLIP G, ERIC (THE RED) and PETE.

        • @ CHARLESWORTH TABOR
          LIAR LIAR. That is the reason for the ABLP in Leadership for over 30 years. Your Family member can be bought for $1500. That does not say too much TABOR.

        • Tabor you guys have no pride that is your problem. And Gaston has finally shown the world that Antiguans are proud people. They do not beg. And Gaston and the IMF do not do things on personality level. It is a principal thing. You run to the IMF as I keep saying as a lender of last resort. That is what Barbados had to do. And they had to swallow the bitter pill of laying of thousands of public servants. Yes Mia got away with that. But I do not think Gaston would get away with that. And you know the IMF had the so called NEST plan in the making. After the election had the UPP won, we would have seen the implementation of the PSST as funded by the World Bank. They worked right out of the ministry of finance. So three thousand public servants would have been sent home. And that is no joke. You can go read the documents on the World Bank Website https://documents.worldbank.org/
          search for Antigua and Barbuda PSST
          And your Playboy Lovell all he could do is trying to charm the beautiful Dr. Gale Archibald. Mr. Lover lover. No brains whatsoever.
          But then the ABLP came in and Samantha Marshall wanted nothing of that and send her packing so fast.
          And regarding the PM’s words in that business workshop that day. It was applauded by all businessmen/women. The PM was spot on, and the IMF lady was very frank, and she said, well if that is how the PM feels she had nothing more to present to the business community. That is why we feel so proud about the PM he does not curse or insult you, but you are getting it straight. The IMF does not run our show, we do. But with a UPP government the IMF will run their show. And that is because you guys are inept and have a low self-esteem.

        • Upp was paying people to vote too. Red or Blue when your party wrong them wrong. Last time I check both parties had done wrong.

  2. Well Well look who come out to defend his GOD. Boss just give me an aspirin. The port is a US100 million debt. The University time will tell, Jamaica and Barbados UWI crying out for monies from the leaders in the Caribbean who will not pay into the university and this was before covid. Come again bring something new.

  3. Covid appears to be here in the world for a long time, so why dont the government of Antigua learn to be creative and find ways to live with it instead of constantly pressuring people to get vaccinated, closing beaches, restricting people from making a living and placing them on pointless curfews.They need to stop blaming their poor mis-management of funds and the lack of economy on the pandemic. Other much larger countries are open and finding ways of living with the pandemic so why cant they. Too much negativity and talking and not finding solutions to move Antigua forwatd.

  4. Start firring useless govt workers who only go to work to use the government internet to mind ppl business ….the government offices needs to be cut in half….the 60+ needs to take a severance and give energetic educated young ppl a chance….

    Then they can go farrin to ” packup”….

    start keeping ONLY PRODUCTIVE GOVERNMENT WORKERS …YOU CAN PAY MORE PENSIONERS WHO NEED THEIR MONIES…

  5. My dear country is in a downward spiral. Sad to say but we need better leadership then what is currently provided.

  6. We going to jam you hard! When you call the election. We going to JAM you HARD like cement and sand. The harder you jam we the harder you going fall like a empty sauce pan.

    You’re a failure. The worst finance and economic minister this island has ever seen. Dr. Cort was better than you and he introduced personal income tax!!!!!!!!

  7. This is off topic but it disturbed me. I listened to Mr.Max Hurst on Darren Matthew Ward this morning. I now come to the conclusion that Darren Matthew Ward is a PUPPET for UPP. He fights with Max every Monday. Ask Max the most STUPID question. Whenever Darren has a UPP Candidate on He ask a CHICKEN FEED question and let the UPP Candidate do not answer the question but TALK TALK until the end. This very Bad. Darren Matthew Ward is fighting with the ABLP. Max should stop going on His Program.

    • PREET do you know that their are many people that think the exact opposite and feel Daren Matthew Ward is an ALP supporter. I do not agree that Max should stop going on the program. He is on the program to let us know what the Cabinet decisions to govern the country are. What Max should stop do is lying. Daren made him look like an idiot when he said the Opposition was invited many times to discuss the covid situation with the government but refused. Despite saying that he could not recall one instance of any such invitation when pressed by Daren. Yes, Max is an intelligent person but sometimes his lying makes him come across like a pure idiot, especially when he is cornered by Daren.

      • if there is anyone lying Tabor it is you. Gaston Browne had reached out to Pringle many times and Pringle was not getting the green light from the party. And they use the bogus excuse that the PM has belittle him and therefore he won’t come. Than he demanded the PM apologizes and the PM did publicly apologize to him for anything he may have said that offended him. But yet the party didn’t give Pringle the greenlight. And they wanted Lovell to be sit at the table, but the PM said no, Lovell is not the Leader of the Opposition. He is the leader of the party. And that is what the downfall of Pringle is. He listens to Lovell instead of standing his own man. when he was invited to come to the launch of the economic recovery plan, he was very much of praise of the group. yet when he returned to base, he was again influenced and had nothing good to say. Now Lovell is again questioning what has become of the ERC. Well Lovell sit wait and see. You will learn how to govern. But the guys and girls are not sitting on their laurels. They are working. This is not a Quick Fix. It’s a large plan in the making.

    • Well, that is nothing new. Daren doesn’t have an interview with Max. He tries to see how he can score point with attacking Max. I wonder why Max keeps going there. It makes absolutely no sense. The countries media houses already get a press briefing every Thursday morning after Wednesday Cabinet. Why should Observer get yet an extra day in were they not just ask questions but attack the good gentleman as if he is in front of a firing squad. And we know the listeners of Observers are not sympathizers of the ABLP. As Daren says after the interview, he was reading the WhatsApp board and could not find any positive message on Max. What did he expect? He should know his audience. All UPP. And for sure I have known for years he is a UPP supporter. By the way no one can work for Observer and be a ABLP supporter. That will never happen. ABLP have only one faithful radio station and that is Pointe FM. And was it not for the foresight of Gaston Browne, ABLP would have no voice at all. Seeing what happened to ZDK under Sean Bird. I call on Gaston to stop Max from losing his time on appearing on Observer. You cannot convert any of their listeners. And the host are not impartial. Just listen to their line of questioning. They don’t even wait for you to respond, and they are already firing another question. And it’s always, the people want to know. Or your opponent says this or that. When you listen to him week after week you get the drift of where things are heading. But I must give it to Max, he is very seasoned the way he answers the questions.

  10. World dictator traitor tyrant liar bully (HT) Gaston Browne and the rest of his cesspool gang not even taking a cut in salary and they getting their paycheck on time every month. Yet those who have paid into the system are getting screwed.

    All the funds he continues to grab under his creative enrichment scheme and won’t stop. This piece of sheet must go. He does not represent we the people.

    Justice for the family of Nigel Christian. He was kidnapped abducted and murdered executed style because he found out the truth about the “forged” signatures at the Port. Govt ministers are involved and noticed how “AG” Benjamin had nothing to say, as his master told him to keep quiet.

    All the abductors kidnappers human traffickers (HT) of Mehul Choksi are still living life like normal. Again govt ministers are involved in this.

    You wanted world dictator traitor tyrant liar bully (HT) Gaston Browne and the rest of his cesspool gang now you can love what they doing to you and our nation.

  11. “Don’t ask what the country can do for you ask what you can do for the country” Millions are distributed in the name of vaccine but some will not donate in the name of hunger. Time to stand up for the country that build you and give back, don’t just use self enrichment schemes to benefit you and your members only Start giving back and dont boast on the wealth you have. Each one help one.

  12. @The bias line
    Maxi lie to much, he wants to be the interviewer and the interviewee , dodging the questions constantly. Why did your car break down? he blaims the upp

  13. Darren Ward asked Damanl Tabor..(.Where would you find the money )…..Tabor went on to talk about YIDA and Darren did not stop Him. He did NOT answer the question. That is Darren playBOOK. AWFUL INTERVIEWER.

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