Antigua and Barbuda Govt give Bonuses to workers

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet evaluated the fiscal position of the Government, and the income intake of the Treasury, the Rightful Corporations, and the various Government Authorities.

Antigua and Barbuda: The Government of Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet evaluated the fiscal position of the Government, and the income intake of the Treasury, the Rightful Corporations, and the various Government Authorities.

The fiscal state of the Government is seriously challenged as an outcome of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its impact on commercial activity since March 2020.

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has since concluded that the Treasury, the Statutory Corporations, and the state’s various Authorities are not now in a position to give bonuses or to make advances to staff.

The problematic situation in which the government bodies find themselves, commenced almost nine months ago when borders remained closed, and those conditions will not disappear for a few months yet.

The Cabinet decided that the conditions in the major markets with which Antigua and Barbuda carry on trade—whether in goods or services—are not likely to improve until after the first quarter of 2021. Consequently, no bonus amounts will be paid in 2020.

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda dislikes this set of circumstances. Nevertheless, the Government has assured that all workers employed by the Statutory Corporations, the various Government Authorities, and by the Central Government have got their wages and salaries in full and on-time.

The Cabinet welcomes the forbearance and patience of all workers who may have counted on the bonuses including the advances which would normally have been given.

The global Covid-19 pandemic has disturbed all economies, resulting in lay-offs and terminations of many workers in Antigua and Barbuda, also around the world. Not a single representative of the Statutory Corporations, the Government Authorities, and employees of the Central Government has been laid-off.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda order continue to join the several bargaining agents of the workers on the issue of giving bonuses