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  • Wijzigingen Comptabiliteitswet noodzakelijk voor begrotingsbehandeling

    Wijzigingen Comptabiliteitswet noodzakelijk voor begrotingsbehandeling

    Paramaribo, 30 April – The opening of public debate on Suriname’s 2026 national budget has been delayed, after National Assembly Speaker Ashwin Adhin confirmed that critical preconditions have yet to be met before formal deliberations can begin. In an interview with local outlet Starnieuws, Adhin explained that amendments to the country’s Comptability Act must first be finalized to create a legal framework for the budget process. On top of the required legislative changes, the executive branch has yet to submit several supplementary policy documents and full financial datasets required for parliamentary review.

    Adhin emphasized that budget deliberation is far more than a procedural formality for the legislature. It is the core mechanism through which parliament exercises its constitutional oversight over government spending, sovereign debt management, public revenue streams, and the implementation of administration policy priorities. Launching debate without complete, accurate information would be irresponsible, he said, adding that the government must first provide full clarity on all outstanding line items and planned expenditure allocations. Once all required documentation is received, the 2026 budget will be immediately placed on the assembly’s urgent agenda. Adhin also noted that the council of ministers still awaits a comprehensive national debt plan from Finance and Planning Minister Adelien Wijnerman, a key document required for thorough review.

    The debate over the 2026 budget comes as the Suriname Court of Audit highlighted long-running systemic flaws in public financial management in its recently released 2025 annual report. While the court acknowledged that incremental progress has been made in recent reforms, it found that misalignment between policy priorities and budget implementation remains a persistent shortcoming. Internal control systems within individual government ministries also continue to function inadequately, the audit body found.

    As a result of these weak controls, errors and irregularities in public spending are not always caught in a timely fashion, the court reported. Additional challenges remain around upholding integrity and compliance with existing financial laws and regulations. Recent audits into domain land management, social welfare benefits, and public subsidy distribution confirmed that gaps in oversight and irregular spending practices are still widespread. The court also flagged compliance with financial reporting requirements by state-owned enterprises as an ongoing high-priority concern.

    Against this backdrop, Adhin argued that rigorous, careful scrutiny of the 2026 budget is non-negotiable. Parliament must have full clarity to trace exactly how public resources are allocated, what existing sovereign debt obligations the government carries, and how new financing will be deployed to meet policy goals. The Court of Audit echoed this priority, noting that transparency and accountability are foundational to maintaining public trust in government institutions. It also stressed that discharge approval by the National Assembly is a critical link in the state’s financial accountability cycle; without completing this step, national financial oversight remains incomplete.

    Adhin reaffirmed that while moving the budget process forward in a timely manner is important, speed cannot come at the cost of robust, thorough parliamentary financial oversight. The budget will only be taken up for full debate once all preconditions are met. “We will not rush this process at the expense of sound governance,” Adhin said, adding that once the required legal amendments are passed and all missing documents are submitted, the National Assembly will advance the budget process with full urgency.

  • Pringle Urges Change, Browne Promotes Strong Leadership in Final Appeal to Voters

    Pringle Urges Change, Browne Promotes Strong Leadership in Final Appeal to Voters

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to head to the polls for its critical general election, the nation’s two leading political forces have laid out starkly competing visions for the country’s future in last-ditch appeals to the electorate. On the eve of voting, opposition leader Jamale Pringle of the United Progressive Party (UPP) framed the upcoming ballot as a once-in-a-five-year opportunity to reverse what he calls a 12-year downward trajectory under the incumbent administration, while sitting Prime Minister Gaston Browne of the Labour Party is begging voters for a second term to build on the national “renaissance” his government claims to have already delivered.

    In a pre-election video address published Wednesday, Pringle positioned the 2023 election as a defining turning point that will touch every corner of voters’ daily lives, from household grocery bills to the quality of public infrastructure and accessible healthcare. “Tomorrow… may be your last opportunity for five years to determine the future of this nation,” Pringle told the public, urging every eligible citizen — particularly undecided voters and those planning to skip voting — to show up to their polling stations and make their voices heard.

    Pringle leaned into widespread voter frustration, acknowledging that large swathes of the population have been left “deeply disappointed” over the 12 years of Labour Party rule, with many facing declining personal finances and worsening economic mobility. He listed a litany of grievances that have eroded public trust: crumbling road networks, inconsistent access to clean drinking water, a steady rise in violent and petty crime, and the skyrocketing cost of living that has stretched household budgets thin. All these issues, he argued, are clear proof that a change in leadership is long overdue.

    Beyond domestic failures, Pringle also called out what he framed as governance missteps that have damaged Antigua and Barbuda’s standing on the global stage. He pointed to strained diplomatic relations with key international partners and emerging financial risks that threaten the nation’s economic stability, arguing that these challenges are “not accidental circumstances” but the direct outcome of poor policy choices by the Browne administration.

    Making his pitch for the UPP, Pringle highlighted the party’s proven track record in past government roles, noting that the party has previously inherited complex national challenges and managed them effectively. He urged voters to “vote against the situations that hinder your progress and the behavior that threatens democracy,” while calling on supporters to back the UPP and hold the party accountable if it fails to deliver on its pledges to boost living standards and drive inclusive national development. To counter doubts about the opposition’s readiness to govern, Pringle emphasized the “education, experience, competence, and the character” of the UPP’s full slate of candidates, framing the team as uniquely prepared to tackle the nation’s most pressing issues.

    Meanwhile, during his final pre-election televised address, Prime Minister Browne made the case that his sitting administration has already delivered tangible, measurable progress for Antigua and Barbuda, and deserves another term to deepen those gains. Centering his re-election campaign on a theme of national renewal, Browne argued that the country is already in the midst of a transformative renaissance, pointing to sustained economic growth, large-scale infrastructure upgrades, and expanded social programs as proof of positive change under his leadership. “We are already in the Renaissance,” he said, adding that continued investment in physical infrastructure and human development would unlock the “blossoming of our nation” and lift living standards for all citizens.

    Browne highlighted improvements across key economic metrics, including steady GDP growth, record low unemployment, and improved fiscal performance. He claimed his administration has strengthened the country’s overall financial position and steadily reduced economic inequality over its term. He also pointed to signature policy initiatives including subsidized affordable housing, broad duty waivers on essential goods, and expanded social safety net programs, all part of a broader push to distribute national wealth more equitably and improve quality of life for all Antigua and Barbudans.

    Looking ahead to a second term, Browne laid out key policy pledges: his government would raise the national minimum wage and work toward implementing a full “livable wage” for all workers, while continuing critical subsidies to shield domestic consumers from volatile global price hikes. He argued that ongoing economic expansion, backed by billions of dollars in committed domestic and foreign investment projects, will create thousands of new jobs and solidify Antigua and Barbuda’s position as an economic and political leader across the Caribbean. Browne also pushed back against claims of exclusionary governance, emphasizing that his administration’s popular policies — from duty waivers to social support — have been distributed evenly to all citizens regardless of their political party affiliation.

    These sharply contrasting closing messages highlight the stark choice facing voters as they head to the polls on election day. After more than a decade of Labour Party rule, voters must decide whether to align with the opposition’s call for sweeping change after years of perceived decline, or endorse the incumbent’s argument that its policy framework has already laid a strong foundation for continued growth and shared prosperity. The closely contested election, which will set the country’s political direction for the next five years, will see voters deliver their verdict today.

  • Gonsalves attempts to use IMF report to rally ULP supporters

    Gonsalves attempts to use IMF report to rally ULP supporters

    Five months after the Unity Labour Party (ULP) ended its 24-year consecutive rule over St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), veteran opposition leader and former prime minister Ralph Gonsalves is leveraging a newly released International Monetary Fund economic assessment to mobilize his base and push for an early reversal of the electorate’s decision. The 80-year-old leader, who remains head of the ULP despite the party’s historic electoral defeat, laid out his political campaign in an hours-long broadcast on the ULP-owned Star Radio’s popular “Morning Comrade” show Wednesday.

    In the December 2024 general election, the New Democratic Party (NDP) secured the most lopsided electoral victory in SVG since 1989, beating the ULP by more than 10,000 popular votes. The election saw a dramatic shakeup within the ULP: while Gonsalves retained his own parliamentary seat, both his son Camillo Gonsalves, the former finance minister, and Saboto Caesar, former agriculture minister and a leading contender to succeed the elder Gonsalves, lost their seats. With former deputy leader Montgomery Daniel, 70, retiring from politics last year, the ULP has not yet filled the deputy leadership position after delaying a vote at its 2022 convention.

    On Tuesday, one day before Gonsalves’ broadcast, sitting Prime Minister Godwin Friday upheld his pledge to government transparency by hosting a joint press conference with the Washington-based IMF team to announce the preliminary findings of the fund’s annual Article IV Consultation, a routine assessment SVG completed during every ULP administration. Friday confirmed that while the IMF identified a need for targeted economic reform, his NDP government will develop a locally led economic stabilization program that centers national ownership of the recovery process. He also emphasized that policy adjustments will prioritize protecting the country’s most vulnerable vulnerable populations from hardship. The full IMF staff report and executive board concluding statement are expected to be published at a later date, with additional detail on the fund’s full assessment and policy recommendations.

    Gonsalves seized on the consultation results to frame the new government’s economic approach as illegitimate, arguing that voters made a mistake when they ousted the ULP after more than two decades in power, and now have a political duty to correct that error as quickly as possible. He positioned the conflict as a clear clash of competing economic visions: rejecting what he called the IMF and NDP’s “austerity message,” he argued that the ULP’s platform prioritizes prudence, enterprise, and inclusive growth that benefits all segments of SVG society. Gonsalves called on all ULP party bodies, from constituency councils to national leadership, to activate immediately, announcing that a national council meeting is scheduled for next month to lay the groundwork for the ULP’s return to power.

    This is not the first time in less than a month that Gonsalves has leveraged a current policy debate to rally ULP supporters. Earlier in February, he mobilized opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment put forward by the NDP, framing the change as a self-serving “insurance policy” the governing party introduced to counter the ULP’s ongoing election petitions, which challenge the eligibility of Friday and Foreign Affairs Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble over their dual Canadian citizenship. Friday responded that the amendment will be referred to a parliamentary select committee, and no floor vote or debate will be held until broad public consultation is completed.

  • Gonsalves rejects IMF proposals, embraces statements favourable to ULP

    Gonsalves rejects IMF proposals, embraces statements favourable to ULP

    A sharp political debate has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after the International Monetary Fund presented its annual economic assessment to the island nation’s new five-month-old administration, drawing fierce criticism from the former ruling party leader who claims the proposed austerity measures will disproportionately harm low-income workers and the growing middle class.

    Ralph Gonsalves, head of the Unity Labour Party (ULP), stepped into the fray shortly after the IMF concluded its 2026 Article IV consultation — the Fund’s mandatory annual economic health check for member states — with a public press conference hosted in Kingstown on Tuesday. The ULP, which held power for 25 consecutive years, was ousted in the November 2025 general election, winning just one of 15 parliamentary seats against Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s New Democratic Party (NDP).

    Gonsalves argues that the IMF’s proposed austerity framework directly contradicts the fiscally prudent, growth-focused economic philosophy his administration advanced during its time in office. “The main issue is they want to impose an austerity programme, which is a wrong and dangerous idea,” Gonsalves stated in his response to the Fund’s recommendations. He warned that the policies, which the IMF is pushing the young NDP government to adopt, would deepen poverty for the nation’s most vulnerable residents and reverse economic gains that lifted many working-class people into the middle class. “Those who are poor it gonna make you poorer… Those who came out of poverty and into the middle class it will drag you down, back into poverty,” he added.

    The Tuesday press conference marked a break from long-standing practice in SVG: for the first time, the IMF’s mission chief for the country presented the Fund’s conclusions directly to the public, rather than having findings filtered through the sitting administration’s partisan framing — a norm that prevailed during Gonsalves’ two-and-a-half decades in office. Prime Minister Friday, who also serves as the nation’s finance minister, spoke before IMF Mission Chief Sergei Antoshin at the event, framing the public presentation as a core commitment of his new government to open governance.

    Friday emphasized that the Article IV consultation is a necessary, routine process that his administration takes extremely seriously. “We have to deal with situations as they are, not as we would like them to be,” he noted, adding that his government is prepared to address the nation’s economic challenges with honesty and pragmatism, prioritizing the best interests of all Vincentians. Having held office for just five months, Friday reiterated that his administration campaigned on a pledge of transparency, saying the public press conference is part of a broader commitment to keep citizens informed of every major policy challenge and decision the government faces. “Today’s session is a part of that process of engaging with the people of this country on important matters that confront them,” he said.

    But Gonsalves took issue not only with the substance of the IMF’s recommendations, but also with Friday’s decision to share the stage with Antoshin. The former prime minister claimed he never invited an IMF mission chief to appear alongside him at a public press conference during his tenure, arguing that Friday’s move amounts to the NDP leader hiding behind the Fund to push unpopular “bitter medicine” on the Vincentian public. Gonsalves accused the NDP government of a “mentality of submission” to the IMF, rather than pursuing genuine dialogue and pushing back against harmful policy prescriptions when necessary.

    The debate has also centered on SVG’s long-running high debt burden, which the IMF has repeatedly flagged as a critical risk to economic stability. As of December 31, 2025, the nation’s total national debt stood at 3.5 billion Eastern Caribbean dollars, equal to an estimated 113% to 120% of gross domestic product, per World Bank calculations. Antoshin noted during Tuesday’s press conference that SVG has been classified at high risk of debt distress since 2016.

    Gonsalves, who served as finance minister for 17 of his 25 years as prime minister, defended his administration’s debt record, pushing back against framing that links the rising debt to reckless public spending. He cited Antoshin’s own comments that growing fiscal deficits were driven by post-disaster relief and reconstruction efforts, large public infrastructure projects, and rising current expenditures. Gonsalves clarified that the major construction projects completed under his administration included critical public assets: primary and secondary schools, coastal and riverine flood defenses, community clinics, a new national hospital, an upgraded port, an international airport, and a national sports stadium.

    He also disputed characterizations of the debt portfolio as overly expensive, noting that total debt sits at 3.3 billion Eastern Caribbean dollars, 2.1 to 2.3 billion of which is low-interest external debt, with less than 1 billion in domestic debt held primarily in government bonds. “When they’re talking about the debt … the bulk of the debt is cheap, overwhelmingly,” Gonsalves said. He added that his administration had already agreed on a framework with the IMF to gradually reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 60% to 65% by 2035, putting the nation’s debt on a sustainable long-term trajectory.

    Full details of the IMF’s assessment and policy recommendations are expected to be released publicly in the coming weeks when the Fund publishes its full Article IV staff report and Executive Board concluding statement.

  • Olieprijzen stijgen naar hoogste niveau in weken

    Olieprijzen stijgen naar hoogste niveau in weken

    Global crude oil markets delivered a historic jump on Wednesday, with prices climbing more than 6% to close at their highest levels in weeks, driven by escalating fears of prolonged Middle Eastern supply disruptions following stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran. A larger-than-expected drawdown in U.S. commercial oil and fuel inventories further amplified upward price momentum, compounding already tight market conditions.

    June Brent crude futures, the global benchmark for oil prices, notched an eighth consecutive day of gains on Wednesday, settling up $6.77, or 6.1%, at $118.03 per barrel — its highest closing level since March 31. In post-market trading, the benchmark extended its rally to hit $120 per barrel, a threshold not crossed since June 2022. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for the same delivery month rose $6.95, or 7%, to settle at $106.88 per barrel, the highest peak since April 7.

    Market anxiety deepened after a White House official confirmed that former U.S. President Donald Trump has asked domestic oil producers to outline mitigation strategies for a potential months-long closure of Iranian ports by U.S. sanctions. Calculations from Reuters show the ongoing geopolitical conflict centered on Iran has already cut off more than $50 billion worth of crude oil from global markets. “An extended port blockage would worsen existing supply disruptions and push prices even higher,” warned Yang An, a senior analyst at Haitong Futures.

    Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) added further fuel to the rally, reporting that U.S. crude inventories fell by more than 6 million barrels last week. That drawdown far outpaced the 200,000 barrel decline analysts had forecast. Both gasoline and distillate fuel stockpiles, a category that includes diesel, also dropped more sharply than predicted. The inventory declines sparked fresh concerns over potential shortages in the world’s largest fuel consumer just as the summer peak driving season, a period of historically high fuel demand, gets underway. Analysts at RBC Capital Markets noted that growing seasonal summer demand paired with ongoing supply restrictions will likely provide additional upward support for oil prices in coming weeks.

    In another development that underscores the severity of current supply chain disruptions, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has notified some customers that it may shift loading of two crude grades to ports outside the Persian Gulf next month, as the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, remains closed, according to sources and a document reviewed by Reuters. The prolonged closure of the strait, through which roughly 20% of global oil trade passes daily, has already placed severe pressure on global oil and gas supplies.

    Beyond immediate supply disruptions, investors are also assessing the long-term market impact of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) decision to withdraw from OPEC. Callum Macpherson, head of commodities at Investec, noted that most analysts expect little near-term market impact, as Middle Eastern producers are projected to maintain maximum output levels to capitalize on high prices.

    However, research firm Wood Mackenzie warned that the UAE’s exit marks the most significant rupture in OPEC’s decades-long history, and increases the risk of global oversupply that could push oil prices lower starting in 2027. Simon Flowers, chief analyst at Wood Mackenzie, explained that the departure will have minimal impact on 2026 market dynamics even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, but after that point, losing one of OPEC’s most productive members will make it far harder for the cartel to balance global markets, amplifying risks of oversupply and downward price pressure.

    Amid widespread geopolitical and economic uncertainty, gold has also emerged as a standout asset for investors. On April 30, 2026, gold settled at $4,541 per troy ounce, marking a 44% increase from April 2025 and hitting an all-time record high. The sharp rally is widely attributed to growing geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation concerns, and broad global economic uncertainty. Top Wall Street banks are split on how high prices can go: analysts from JPMorgan and Bank of America project gold will climb toward $5,000 per troy ounce by the end of 2026, while strategists at UBS and Deutsche Bank forecast prices could surge above $6,000 per ounce this year.

  • OPINION: Do Workers Feel Safe at Their Place of Work?

    OPINION: Do Workers Feel Safe at Their Place of Work?

    Workplaces hold dual realities for the global workforce: for too many, they are spaces rife with conflict, discrimination, chronic stress, and preventable hazards, while for others, they become protective environments where fundamental human rights are upheld. With the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that nearly 60 percent of the global population participates in formal and informal work, the quality of workplace conditions directly shapes public health outcomes worldwide, making safe and healthy working conditions an inalienable human right rather than a discretionary perk.

    To draw global attention to the preventable burden of occupational harm, the international community marks April 28 annually as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The annual observance functions as a global awareness campaign, designed to highlight the scale of work-related injury and illness, and advocate for building a proactive culture of safety that cuts preventable deaths and disabilities across all industries.

    Decades of data from two leading global labor and health bodies, the WHO and the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscore the severity of the crisis: in 2016 alone, work-related accidents and diseases claimed an estimated 1.88 million lives, a toll that continues to rise as new threats emerge. Beyond long-recognized physical hazards, climate change has added a new layer of risk: climate-fueled extreme weather events cut working hours and output while exposing outdoor and vulnerable workers to life-threatening health and safety dangers.

    In recent years, the global conversation around occupational health has expanded far beyond physical injury and chemical exposure to prioritize mental health and psychosocial well-being, a shift accelerated dramatically by the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis laid bare how unaddressed workplace mental health risks undermine both individual workers and economic productivity: the WHO estimates untreated depression and anxiety—conditions highly prevalent in toxic work environments—cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost output and reduced performance. A safe working environment that supports mental well-being, in turn, drives higher productivity, creating a mutually beneficial cycle for workers and employers.

    The psychosocial work environment, shaped by how roles are defined, work is organized, management practices are implemented, and workplace culture is cultivated, is a core determinant of worker health. Factors including unmanageable workloads, unclear role expectations, lack of autonomy, discrimination, and inadequate social support act as silent hazards that can trigger burnout, chronic stress, depression, and anxiety, just as surely as physical machinery or toxic chemicals pose tangible risks. Discriminatory scheduling practices, such as the overloading of teachers who lack administrative favor in educational systems, are just one common example of how harmful psychosocial working conditions erode worker well-being over time.

    Addressing these growing threats requires shared responsibility across all stakeholders. Governments bear the core obligation to build robust regulatory frameworks, enforce compliance through regular inspection systems, and establish public health infrastructure that supports sustainable, safe work for all. Employers are accountable for proactively designing safe working environments that address both physical and psychosocial hazards, including providing accessible mental health support, implementing fair scheduling and workload management, and offering regular health screenings and preventive care. Individual workers, meanwhile, have a role to play in following safety protocols, protecting themselves and their colleagues, and exercising their rights to participate in preventive safety measures.

    As the global community marks this annual observance, public health and labor advocates are calling for renewed commitment to prioritizing occupational health as a foundation for equitable, sustainable global development. As safety advocate Jerry Smith famously noted, “Safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless”—a reminder that investing in worker well-being delivers returns that extend far beyond the workplace, to healthier communities and more inclusive economic growth.

  • Labour Week Message from the General Secretary, David Massiah

    Labour Week Message from the General Secretary, David Massiah

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to mark its annual celebration of workers, the Antigua & Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) has launched this year’s Labour Week around the central theme: “Strengthening our Commitment to Social Development and Equity”. As a progressive, worker-first organization, the union emphasizes that decades-old labor protections are no longer sufficient to address the shifting demands of the modern workforce.

    This year’s commemoration carries deep historical roots: 74 years ago, in May 1951, Antigua and Barbuda officially recognized Labour Day as a public holiday for the first time. Working conditions in that era bore little resemblance to today’s landscape, defined by grueling 48-hour workweeks, minimal legal protections, widespread exploitation, and little guarantee of basic dignity on the job.

    The tide began to shift 16 years later, when the ABWU was founded in 1967, ushering in a new era of worker empowerment. Organized collective action through the union accelerated the creation of the Antigua Labour Code, a piece of legislation still widely considered one of the most comprehensive and progressive labor frameworks in the Caribbean region. This legal structure enshrined core protections for working people and set a regional benchmark for fair employment practices. The subsequent establishment of the national Social Security Scheme further strengthened worker stability, delivering critical support for retirement, guaranteed paid sick leave, and maternity protections that serve as a lifeline for working families across the twin island nation.

    Many of the ABWU’s earliest gains are traced to the tireless advocacy of founding leader Bro. Malcolm Daniel, whose landmark negotiations secured the reduction of the standard workweek from 48 hours to 40. That win was far more than a change to scheduling: it was a victory for human dignity, work-life balance, and the fundamental right of workers to spend quality time with their families.

    Today, standing on the foundation built by generations of organizers, activists, and striking workers, the ABWU celebrates the significant progress that has transformed work in Antigua and Barbuda, cementing fundamental labor rights and raising quality of life for workers across both islands. But union leaders warn that the global world of work is changing at an unprecedented pace, bringing new challenges that demand renewed commitment. The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping entire industries, the informal gig economy is expanding rapidly, and remote work has become a permanent fixture for many sectors. These shifts bring new opportunities for flexibility and growth, but also create widespread uncertainty for working people, leaving gaps in existing protections.

    Against this backdrop, the ABWU says the core question facing workers and policymakers is how to continue advancing social development and equity in this new era. The union’s answer is sustained solidarity: remaining united, adaptive to change, and vigilant in protecting worker interests. Leaders stress that no matter how the workforce evolves, every worker is entitled to dignity, protected rights, and new benefits that boost quality of life. Workplaces, they argue, must never prioritize profit over the well-being of workers, and all people deserve fair living wages, financial stability, and freedom from exploitation and systemic discrimination.

    This Labour Week, the ABWU is issuing two key calls: first, for all workers across Antigua and Barbuda to stand together in collective solidarity, and second, for the national government to begin developing a formal framework for mandatory disability insurance for workers. Currently, the union notes that existing workers’ compensation programs fall far short of supporting workers who sustain permanent disabilities on the job, failing to cover ongoing living costs and leaving working families in vulnerable financial positions. This gap remains a top priority concern for the ABWU.

    As the nation heads toward Labour Day, the union is calling on all workers to renew their collective commitment to building a more equitable future for working people. All residents are invited to join this year’s official Labour Day Rally and March, scheduled for Monday, May 4 at the ABWU Headquarters on Lower Newgate Street. The event will serve as a public demonstration of worker unity, honoring the hard-won gains of the past while reaffirming the movement’s commitment to fighting for a better future for all working people in Antigua and Barbuda.

  • ABEC Chairman Calls for Order, Respect and Preparedness as Antigua Votes

    ABEC Chairman Calls for Order, Respect and Preparedness as Antigua Votes

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to hold its critical general election on Thursday, April 30, the chair of the country’s independent Electoral Commission (ABEC) has delivered a clear, urgent message to voters, political parties and all stakeholders involved: order, mutual respect and strict preparedness are non-negotiable to deliver a credible, trusted democratic outcome.

    Arthur G.B. Thomas, ABEC’s sitting chairman, framed the upcoming vote as a defining moment for the nation’s democratic trajectory, emphasizing that every citizen’s right to vote comes paired with a binding responsibility to uphold electoral regulations. At the top of the enforcement agenda is the mandate for valid official voter identification, a requirement Thomas confirmed will be applied without exceptions for any elector.

    “Let me be clear. No elector can be permitted to vote without a valid voter identification card,” Thomas stated, underscoring that the commission has already gone to great lengths to help voters resolve any ID issues ahead of polling day. To ensure eligible citizens could access or replace their identification documents, ABEC extended operating hours, added trained staffing to all regional offices, and deployed every available resource over the preceding weeks. Now, Thomas says, the onus shifts entirely to individual voters to confirm their eligibility before arriving at the polls.

    “The opportunity has been provided. The responsibility now rests with you,” he added.

    Beyond identification rules, Thomas issued a strong appeal for widespread discipline and decorum across all polling stations nationwide. He urged every voter to extend respect to electoral officials, on-site security personnel, fellow voters, and political opponents, noting that an orderly process is foundational to public trust in the final result. “Order and compliance and mutual respect are not optional; they are essential to the credibility of the outcome,” he said.

    Thomas also reminded registered political parties of their legal and ethical obligation to remove all campaign materials, signage and promotional paraphernalia from areas surrounding polling divisions. A neutral voting space free from last-minute undue influence, he explained, is a core requirement for a fair election.

    “The polling environment must remain neutral, orderly, and free from undue influence,” Thomas emphasized.

    As polling locations open across the twin-island nation for the general election that will select the country’s next government, Thomas closed his address with a call for all eligible citizens to exercise their democratic right peacefully and within the bounds of electoral law. He stressed that broad adherence to the commission’s rules is the single most critical factor in maintaining public confidence in the process and its final outcome, urging all participants to honor Antigua and Barbuda’s long-standing democratic traditions through responsible participation.

  • Coull Graham named Employee of the Month at ABEMS for March 2026

    Coull Graham named Employee of the Month at ABEMS for March 2026

    In a recent internal recognition ceremony held at ABEMS, one employee has stood out among their peers for exceptional contributions to the company, earning the prestigious title of Employee of the Month for March 2026. That honoree is Coull Graham, whose consistent dedication, innovative problem-solving, and commitment to team success have not gone unnoticed by company leadership.

    The Employee of the Month award at ABEMS is designed to highlight individual employees who go above and beyond their core job responsibilities, demonstrate alignment with the company’s core values, and deliver measurable positive impact on daily operations and long-term team goals. Selection for the award follows a multi-stage review process, where department heads nominate candidates, and a cross-departmental committee evaluates nominees based on work performance, collaboration, and initiative.

    ABEMS leadership confirmed that Graham’s contributions over the month of March 2026 included leading a cross-functional project that streamlined internal reporting workflows, cutting processing time by 18% and reducing administrative burden for multiple teams across the organization. Colleagues also highlighted Graham’s willingness to mentor new team members, stepping in to support onboarding efforts during a period of rapid company growth. As part of the recognition, Graham will receive a cash bonus, additional paid time off, and a dedicated parking spot at the company’s headquarters for the month of April.

    In a brief statement following the announcement, Graham expressed gratitude for the recognition, crediting their team for the collaborative effort that made their achievements possible. “It’s an honor to be recognized by ABEMS and my colleagues,” Graham said. “None of the work I’ve done would have been possible without the support of my team, and I’m proud to contribute to the success of this company.”

    ABEMS leadership noted that Graham sets a strong example for all employees at the organization, and that the company remains committed to celebrating outstanding performance and fostering a culture of recognition and growth.

  • Column: Samenwerking!

    Column: Samenwerking!

    For a small nation with fewer than one million inhabitants, lifting overall athletic performance to a more competitive regional and international level is an open, widely acknowledged goal. Yet for years, national sports federations have failed to deliver the systemic changes needed to turn this ambition into reality. Currently, scattered, siloed initiatives from disconnected sporting bodies have left the country unable to build a cohesive, high-performing sports ecosystem, even as abundant natural athletic talent exists across the population.

    While exceptional individual talents do emerge periodically to dominate local competitions, these bright spots rarely translate to sustained success at higher regional tournaments. When matched against competitors from larger, better-organized sporting programs, these athletes consistently deliver underwhelming results, revealing the deep structural flaws holding the national sports sector back.

    To stop squandering the limited resources already available, a fundamental course correction is urgently required, argues analyst Mireille Hoepel. Though the country’s small population size is a fixed constraint that cannot be changed, targeted strategic policy can align fragmented efforts toward a shared, effective vision. Instead of spreading thin public and private funding across dozens of under-resourced sports, Hoepel proposes a data-driven approach: conduct a thorough national assessment to identify which sport holds the greatest natural potential for broad participation and competitive success among the population, then redirect coordinated investment to that discipline.

    Central to this new strategy is prioritizing high-quality coach training. A rigorous, standardized training pipeline for coaching staff is non-negotiable, Hoepel emphasizes, if the nation aims to develop athletes capable of competing at the regional level. Existing sports federations would still retain authority over their respective disciplines under the proposed framework, but they would be required to secure independent funding, particularly for costs associated with international competition participation.

    Once a priority sport with broad national appeal is selected, the next step is to engage the private business sector to fund a long-term multi-year development plan. This sustained investment would lay a solid, stable foundation that can be built on gradually and responsibly over time. It also requires deliberate oversight to ensure the selected sport can be accessed and practiced across all regions of the country, fostering widespread public engagement and a larger talent pool to draw from.

    Hoepel stresses that the core challenge is not the nation’s small scale, but the chronic lack of cooperation between disjointed sports organizations. Separate, uncoordinated activities from competing groups spread already scarce financial resources and human capital too thin, resources that could otherwise be pooled for a unified national development strategy. To address this, federations should organize national open trial days across the country to gauge genuine public interest in their sports. The sport that generates the highest levels of public participation and interest would then qualify for coordinated private sector funding to maximize its competitive potential.

    Drawing a parallel to Iceland, a small nation that has punched far above its weight in international sport through targeted, cohesive strategy, Hoepel notes that unified collaboration can deliver far better competitive results, even for a country with a small population.