Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party announced plans and agendas to reduce the cost of living in the country for the 18 January general elections.
ABLP stated that in guiding the nation to the next level of progress and prosperity, they pledged the following:
- Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party promised that there will be NO PERSONAL INCOME TAX if they came into power on 18 Janauary 2023.
- No increase in abst.
- Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party pledged to continue no abst on essential food, and no abst on items of hygiene and for infants.
- To remove duty on security systems and alternative green energy products for homes and businesses.
- Where possible, to reduce abst on more products and, in any event,to continue programmes to reduce or remove abst on goods at seasonal times.
- To bring down the cost of electricity and water through the use of renewable and green sources of energy such as solar power.
- To incentivise further the agriculture and fisheries sectors to provide locally grown and more affordable food.
- To adopt legislation that will match the retirement age for all workers in the public and private sector with the age at which social security pensions are payable. In this way, there will be no gap in the period between retirement and receipt of social security pensions.
- To increase the income and pensions of public servants immediately after the current negotiations are completed.
- To introduce a system of mandatory review of the minimum wage every two years to ensure that all persons in the public and private sectors are earning a living wage.
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party also outlined their plans for the upliftment of the youth and stated that participation is a fundamental right. Through active participation, young people are empowered to play a vital role in their own development as well as in that of their communities, all while becoming active citizens, and promoting positive civic action.
The Antigua Labour Party youth movement is the voice of the youths of Antigua and Barbuda, addressing the many social, political and economic issues as they relate to the young people and projecting the policy of the Antigua Labour Party and creating a nurturing environment for the emergence of future leaders. Members of the youth group involve themselves in the community, individually as well as a group, so that they can assist in social transformation.
