Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that his administration is moving beyond the minimum wage framework toward establishing a livable wage for workers in Antigua and Barbuda.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the declaration while addressing the joint Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) and Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Labour Day rally, framing the shift as central to the government's broader effort to raise the standard of living for the workforce.
"We're also moving from a minimum wage to a livable wage," Browne told attendees.
The prime minister indicated that the policy direction is tied to ongoing increases in salaries and wages, with the government's goal being to ensure workers can meet their basic needs and achieve a better quality of life.
Browne said the initiative forms part of a wider labour agenda encompassing improved working conditions, expanded opportunities, and greater access to education and training.
However, Browne was clear that higher wages must be matched by stronger workforce productivity. "You must increase your productivity," he said, stressing that sustained economic progress depends on workers delivering performance gains alongside pay increases.
The prime minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving worker earnings while maintaining economic growth, pointing to what he described as continued development across key sectors.
His remarks were delivered during Labour Day celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the labour movement, an occasion focused on worker advancement and long-term economic stability.
Browne signalled that the transition to a livable wage will remain a cornerstone of the government's efforts to ensure that national economic growth translates into tangible benefits for working Antiguans and Barbudans.
