The government of Antigua and Barbuda has announced another significant disbursement of retroactive wages to public servants this month, marking a continued effort to resolve longstanding payroll obligations. Prime Minister Gaston Browne revealed the initiative during his presentation of the national budget for 2026, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to rectifying historical financial debts owed to current and former civil servants.
Since 2022, over $60 million in overdue wages has been distributed to eligible workers. The upcoming payment round will extend to individuals who exited public service prior to December 2022, ensuring comprehensive coverage of outstanding amounts. Browne characterized these payments as a manifestation of ‘caring leadership’ and ethical governance, acknowledging that employees should not endure prolonged delays for rightfully earned compensation.
The accumulation of wage arrears originated from previous governments and protracted negotiation stalemates, but the current administration has prioritized addressing these liabilities through improved fiscal management. Browne attributed the capacity to fulfill these obligations to robust revenue performance and budget surpluses, which have created financial flexibility for settling legacy debts.
Concurrently, the government is implementing structural reforms to the wage negotiation process to prevent future backlog development. These systemic changes aim to establish more efficient settlement timelines and promote greater accountability in public sector payroll management.
Additional details regarding payment schedules and administrative reforms are anticipated during the resumed budget debate next week, where cabinet ministers are expected to elaborate on the mechanics of the ongoing regularization initiative.