Prime Minister Gaston Browne has instructed the Treasury Department to begin clearing smaller outstanding payments as part of a broader effort to address a mounting backlog of retroactive payments and pensions owed to current and former public servants.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the announcement during his Browne and Browne programme on Pointe FM, where he acknowledged growing frustration among individuals — particularly those who have left the public service — who have yet to receive money owed to them.
The government has directed the Treasury to prioritise settlements under EC$20,000, shifting focus away from larger outstanding sums. "We've also asked the Treasury to retire the small payments… you have people with less than $20,000… pay them the money," Browne said.
The prime minister noted that some cases date as far back as 2018, and said the situation is now being treated as urgent. "We have asked them to address that issue with urgency… I'm giving a public undertaking here that everyone will be paid," he stated.
Browne said systems are being put in place to ensure pensioners who have not received full or partial payments are settled, with a target of clearing most outstanding amounts by the end of this month or next.
To improve communication with affected residents, a dedicated hotline will be established allowing individuals to contact the Treasury directly for updates on their payments. Additional staff are also being deployed to process claims more efficiently.
Cabinet has already met with senior Treasury officials, including the Accountant General and the Financial Secretary, to press for faster disbursement of funds. "We said to them, 'Pay the people their money,'" Browne stated.
The prime minister described the initiative as part of a wider push to improve fairness and transparency in the government's payment processes, adding that contractors are now being paid more consistently following recent administrative changes.
