A planned increase in Antigua and Barbuda's national minimum wage is expected to benefit thousands of workers across multiple sectors, Cabinet officials revealed at Thursday's post-Cabinet media briefing.
Director General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maurice Merchant, said data reviewed by Cabinet indicates that approximately 7,264 workers currently earn between $9 and $12 per hour — the range directly targeted by the proposed adjustment.
Merchant provided broader context on the size of the national workforce. "Based upon Social Security records, there are some 45,053 persons who make up the workforce in Antigua and Barbuda," he said.
Among those expected to benefit are gas station attendants, workers on the government's drug programme, crossing guards, and security personnel. The hospitality sector will also see an impact, with Merchant noting that roughly 740 individuals in that industry currently fall within the $9 to $12 hourly wage bracket.
Cabinet has accepted a recommendation to raise the national minimum wage to $13 per hour. The adjustment is expected to be implemented gradually over a three-year period.
