Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a firm warning to senior public servants, demanding immediate action to ensure all outstanding worker payments are processed without further delay.
According to Antigua.news, Browne made the pointed remarks during his Labour Day address, expressing open frustration at bureaucratic holdups affecting back pay and other worker entitlements.
"The money is in the Treasury… every single worker must be paid," the Prime Minister declared.
Browne placed the responsibility squarely on administrative leaders, making clear that inaction would not be acceptable under his government. "When we say process the back pay, we expect you to do so," he stated.
The Prime Minister also addressed workers who were affected by COVID-19 vaccine mandates, insisting that they too must receive compensation as previously directed.
The remarks signal a more aggressive posture from political leadership toward enforcing compliance within the public sector bureaucracy, where payment delays have persisted as an ongoing challenge.
Browne framed timely payment as a matter of basic respect and a fundamental obligation of the state. "Treat the workers with respect," he urged.
The statement is expected to increase pressure on government departments to resolve outstanding payment issues and will likely be welcomed by public servants still awaiting their entitlements.
