The Cabinet reaffirmed this week that essential service workers rostered to work on public holidays are required to report for duty, citing obligations under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code.
During Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, ministers stressed that employees assigned to essential services bear a direct responsibility to carry out their duties during public holidays, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of critical services nationwide. Maintaining operational continuity, Cabinet noted, is vital to public safety, national efficiency, and public confidence in government services.
The discussions come amid heightened attention on labour obligations within the public sector and the need to keep essential agencies fully functional during holidays and periods of increased demand. Cabinet further emphasised that adherence to established schedules is necessary to prevent disruptions that could negatively affect the wider public.
In a separate matter addressed at the same meeting, Cabinet reviewed a technical report submitted by the Ministry of Works on the structural condition of the building occupied by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
The Ministry's assessment concluded that the facility is structurally safe for occupancy and normal operations. On the basis of those findings, Cabinet advised that ONDCP employees are expected to continue carrying out their duties within the existing work environment.
The Government stated it remains committed to ensuring safe and suitable working conditions for public sector employees while sustaining the effective functioning of essential national services.
