PM Says Immigration Amnesty Needed to Unlock Skills Already in Workforce
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the recently announced immigration amnesty is intended to unlock skilled labour already present in Antigua and Barbuda, arguing that continued economic growth cannot be sustained without regularising undocumented workers.
Speaking on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne programme, Browne said many undocumented residents are already contributing to the economy but remain unable to fully participate because of their legal status.
“The economy is growing, and quite frankly, without the immigrants, we would not be able to sustain the growth,” Browne said, pointing to labour shortages in construction, tourism and other expanding sectors.
Browne said the amnesty is designed to bring those workers out of the shadows, allowing them to regularise their status and contribute more openly and productively. “It makes no sense having people here working in the shadows,” he said, adding that regularisation would benefit both workers and the state.
He said Antigua and Barbuda’s labour market has tightened as development activity increases, creating demand that cannot be met by the local workforce alone.
“Practically anyone who wants a job and is not too fussy about what job they do can find a job,” Browne said, noting that immigrant labour has become critical to sustaining momentum across multiple sectors.
The prime minister said details of the amnesty, including timelines and eligibility, will be outlined by the relevant authorities, but stressed that the policy is rooted in economic necessity rather than political convenience.
He said the initiative forms part of a broader labour-management strategy aimed at maintaining growth while improving regulation and compliance within the workforce.
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When will Antiguans come to realize this country is run by a fucking crazy man. Gaston Browne Administration allows people to come here violate our immigration laws and then offer amnesty as though it’s going out of style to win elections.
We are not against others coming here but it must be done legally and the will be welcomed.
People of Antigua and Barbuda, put politics aside and take back our country from this jackass who is only thinking of cementing himself in power.