Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) General Secretary Alrick Daniel is calling on workers to embrace stronger financial habits and commit to continuous education, warning that future economic pressures will demand both discipline and preparation.
According to Antigua News Room, Daniel delivered his message at the joint AT&LU and Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Labour Day rally, cautioning workers against wasteful spending and urging a more responsible approach to personal finance.
"The days of squandering money — leave that in the past," Daniel said, encouraging workers to plan ahead and build financial security for themselves and their families.
He stressed the importance of saving as a safeguard against inevitable hardship. "Save so you can meet any eventual… hardship, because at some point hardship will arise," he said.
Daniel placed equal emphasis on education, urging workers at every stage of life to continue developing their skills. "Learning is lifelong," he said, noting that age and circumstance should not be viewed as barriers to advancement.
He pointed to institutions such as the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus and other available training programmes as resources workers should actively pursue to improve their professional prospects.
Daniel also challenged workers to broaden their view of employment itself. "It is not just a place that you go and earn a dollar… it is a means by which you and your family survive and advance your standard of living," he said.
The general secretary urged workers to strive for professionalism, productivity and upward mobility in order to remain competitive in an increasingly demanding global environment.
His remarks formed part of the AT&LU's Labour Day message, delivered as the union marks its 75th anniversary, with a focus on equipping workers for economic uncertainty and long-term personal advancement.
