The Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Union (ABWU) has welcomed the Government's decision to raise the national minimum wage from $9.00 to $11.50 per hour, effective April 1, 2026, but is warning that the pace of the rollout will deepen hardship for the country's most vulnerable workers. According to Antigua News Room, the increase forms part of a phased plan targeting a final rate of $13.01 per hour.
While the ABWU acknowledged the wage adjustment as an important step toward improving workers' livelihoods, the union expressed surprise at the sudden announcement of both the effective date and the size of the initial increase — particularly given that the National Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, of which the ABWU is a member, had been asked by Cabinet to continue its deliberations following Cabinet's feedback.
The Committee had recommended a two-phase approach: an increase to $12.50 in July 2026, followed by the full adjustment to $13.01 by January 2027. The ABWU maintains that this timeline represents a more effective pathway to reaching the targeted wage floor.
Cabinet's proposed plan, however, stretches implementation across three phases, pushing the full $13.01 rate back to 2028. The union argues this prolonged timeline will unnecessarily extend financial hardship for low-income earners. The ABWU also cautioned that projected inflation over the coming years could significantly erode the real purchasing power of workers by the time the full increase takes effect.
The union further questioned the timing of minimum wage reviews, noting that increases have too often coincided with general election cycles. This pattern, the ABWU said, raises legitimate concerns about whether the move to $11.50 reflects a genuine effort to address worker hardship or amounts to a political manoeuvre ahead of elections.
The ABWU is urging the Government to honour its statutory obligations under Sections C21 and C22 of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code, which require the National Minimum Wage Advisory Committee to be convened every two years. The union stressed that regular, timely reviews are essential to ensure wages keep pace with the cost of living.
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Union pledged to continue advocating for fair wages and improved working conditions, calling on the Government to ensure that all workers can meaningfully share in the nation's growth and development.
