Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the government is shifting its wage policy focus from a minimum wage framework toward a broader "livable wage" standard, with a target of approximately $2,100 per month for workers.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the remarks on the Browne and Browne show, where he outlined the administration's phased approach to raising worker earnings across the country.
The Prime Minister noted that the recent increase in the minimum wage — from $9 to $11.50 per hour — represents one of the largest percentage increases for low-income earners in the nation's history. He described it as a meaningful first step, but made clear that further adjustments are on the horizon.
"We're now moving away from the concept of a minimum wage to a livable wage," Browne said. "In other words, we will get up to about maybe $2,100 a month minimum wage," adding that this level would serve as a more sustainable baseline for workers.
Browne said the government intends to raise the hourly rate to approximately $13 within the next one to two years, with additional increases to follow as the administration works toward that livable wage target.
However, the Prime Minister stressed that the process must remain gradual. He warned that sharp wage increases could strain small businesses operating on thin profit margins, potentially threatening employment levels across key sectors.
Browne acknowledged the frustration of workers who have called for more aggressive increases, with some advocating for rates between $15 and $20 per hour. He said the government must weigh those expectations against broader economic realities.
The Prime Minister framed the policy as part of a wider commitment to ensuring that economic growth benefits workers more equitably, while also encouraging employees to pursue skills development and upward mobility. He said the administration remains focused on improving wages steadily, without destabilising businesses or the wider economy.
