The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, chaired by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, has accepted a recommendation to increase the country’s national minimum wage from EC$9.00 to EC$13.00 per hour.
The proposal was presented during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting by representatives of the National Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, which was established to review the adequacy of the current wage and recommend adjustments based on consultations and economic analysis.
Officials noted that the existing minimum wage of EC$9.00 per hour has been in place since 2023.
The Committee recommended the increase to better reflect current economic realities and the rising cost of living affecting workers across the country.
Cabinet agreed that the adjustment should be implemented gradually over a three-year period to allow employers and businesses time to adapt while ensuring workers receive meaningful improvements in income.
However, before final implementation measures are introduced, Cabinet has requested that the Committee undertake further consultations with a wider cross-section of stakeholders. Independent experts will also be engaged to review the methodology used in the study and provide additional technical analysis.
The Committee has been given two weeks to complete the additional consultations and submit a refined report to Cabinet.
Government officials emphasized that the planned wage adjustment seeks to strike a balanced approach that improves workers’ living standards while maintaining a stable and competitive business environment.
The Government also expressed appreciation to members of the Advisory Committee for their work and consultations with stakeholders in preparing the report.
