REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA — MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, 1ST APRIL 2026
There was no Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 8th April 2026. The Cabinet Office is however updating members of the media and the public on matters discussed, agreed upon, and confirmed at the meeting held on 1st April 2026.
GOVERNMENT PROVIDES UPDATE ON RETROACTIVE SALARY PAYMENTS TO PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES
The Treasury Department has issued a comprehensive update on the ongoing disbursement of retroactive salary payments — commonly referred to as back pay — to eligible public sector employees. All outstanding retroactive payments to public servants, including those related to teacher upgrades, will be completed by the end of April 2026.
These payments stem from negotiated agreements between the Government and various trade unions and bargaining agents, which resulted in salary increases and improved benefits for public officers. Because the agreed increases were implemented after the relevant contractual periods, retroactive payments are now being made to compensate eligible employees.
The retroactive payments cover the periods January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020, and January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023. However, as salary adjustments took effect in January 2024, back pay is applicable for the period January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2023.
Eligibility applies to public sector employees, with the exception of Parliamentarians, Government Ministers, Judges, participants in the Work Experience Programme, and contract officers whose agreements do not provide for negotiated salary increases. Current employees must have been employed on or before December 31, 2023. Former employees who resigned or retired on or before December 31, 2025 may also qualify, provided the relevant conditions are satisfied.
Payments are being processed on an ongoing basis throughout April 2026, with the majority expected to be completed within the month. Several ministries and departments had already received their final payments as of April 2, 2026, and additional disbursements are scheduled, including a new batch to be issued by April 10, 2026.
All payments are being made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), with direct deposit into employees' bank accounts. No over-the-counter cheque payments will be issued.
Employees who previously received partial retroactive payments in 2022, 2024, and 2025 may still be eligible for a final disbursement if the total received does not equal the full amount owed. The Treasury Department confirmed that no taxes will be deducted from retroactive payments.
Upon completion of the process, comprehensive statements detailing all disbursements will be provided to Permanent Secretaries for distribution across all ministries and departments. The Treasury Department has asked public sector employees for their patience and cooperation as the final phase — which requires careful verification to ensure accuracy and fairness — is concluded.
Eligible individuals who have not received any retroactive payment and who left the public service prior to December 2022 are encouraged to submit their employment and banking details to the Treasury Help Desk at [email protected].
ADDITIONAL BUILDING SUPPLIES TO ARRIVE NEXT WEEK
Cabinet has announced the imminent arrival of a new shipment of essential building materials, expected next week, in support of the Government's ongoing housing assistance programme for vulnerable and low-income households.
The shipment was approved by Cabinet several months ago as part of broader measures to improve housing conditions nationwide. The materials are intended to accelerate much-needed repairs and improvements, directly benefiting households in need.
The supplies will assist less fortunate residents in addressing urgent structural needs, including roof repairs, reinforcement works, and the replacement of rotting boards and leaking sections — helping to ensure that citizens live in safe and structurally sound homes.
Island-wide distributions of lumber and other building supplies to eligible homeowners are already underway. Priority recipients include senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and families facing economic hardship. The initiative forms part of the Government's broader social intervention aimed at upgrading the national housing stock and improving residential living standards.
The Government has stated that these actions align with its policy objective of ensuring every citizen has access to safe, durable, and dignified housing.
CABINET APPROVES LANDMARK CRICKET WEST INDIES CAMPUS AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE CENTRE
Cabinet has approved a transformative proposal for the establishment of a Cricket West Indies (CWI) Campus in Antigua and Barbuda — a world-class, integrated cricket and sports tourism development designed to position the nation as the premier high-performance cricket hub in the Americas.
The decision was endorsed under the leadership of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Sports Minister the Hon. Darryl Matthew, and represents a major strategic investment in sports development, tourism diversification, youth advancement, and economic growth.
The CWI Campus will be developed as a 20-acre, fully integrated ecosystem anchored by Cricket West Indies, combining elite cricket training, sports science, tourism experiences, and commercial activity in a single location.
Key components of the approved project include a state-of-the-art High-Performance Centre (HPC) featuring indoor training nets, advanced analytics, fitness facilities, and a sports science and recovery lab. The project also includes a refurbished international cricket venue to be renamed the 4 Knights Oval, and a West Indies Cricket Experience Museum offering immersive, interactive exhibits celebrating the region's cricket legacy.
Additional elements include administrative headquarters for Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), cementing Antigua and Barbuda's role as the administrative hub of Caribbean cricket; a remote TV production facility positioning the country as a regional broadcast centre for international cricket; a full-time Cricket Academy and High School (WICA) to develop the next generation of West Indies cricketers; a cricket-themed business hotel and player residence; recreational sports facilities including padel, pickleball, basketball, and football courts; and the deployment of CWI Performance Pods (CWIP) across the region to extend training and data capabilities.
Cabinet recognised the project's strong alignment with global trends in sports tourism and the rapidly expanding sports economy. The development is expected to significantly boost sports tourism arrivals and long-stay visitors, create new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, enhance Antigua and Barbuda's international profile as a premier sports destination, and drive foreign direct investment and economic diversification.
