Job seekers across Antigua and Barbuda could soon see more employment opportunities reaching a wider audience, following new measures aimed at tightening the visibility and transparency of job vacancies linked to work permit applications.
The changes were outlined during a Cabinet briefing by the Labour Commissioner and the Manager of the One Stop Employment Centre (OSEC), who provided an update on labour market trends, employment matching systems, and the administration of work permits.
Officials reported that OSEC continues to function as the country’s primary employment matching platform, maintaining a database of thousands of job seekers while working with employers to fill vacancies across both public and private sectors.
During the presentation, Cabinet reviewed existing requirements that oblige employers to advertise vacancies and demonstrate efforts to recruit locally before seeking approval to hire non-nationals.
However, concerns were raised that some job opportunities may not be reaching a sufficiently broad audience, limiting access for qualified Antiguans and Barbudans who remain unemployed or underemployed.
In response, Cabinet agreed that stronger advertising requirements will now be enforced for all vacancies associated with work permit applications. Employers will be required to provide proof that job openings have been published across multiple platforms, including print media, digital outlets, and other approved communication channels, in addition to listings through OSEC.
The aim, officials said, is to ensure that local job seekers have first and fair access to available employment opportunities before foreign labour is considered.
Alongside the new requirements, Cabinet encouraged a significant expansion of OSEC’s outreach capabilities through the use of social media platforms, WhatsApp distribution channels, and other digital tools designed to improve real-time access to job listings.
The move is expected to modernize the way vacancies are communicated, particularly to younger job seekers who rely heavily on mobile and online platforms for employment information.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of closer coordination between OSEC and government-led skills training and employment programmes, ensuring that participants are promptly informed of relevant job openings in the private sector.
While acknowledging continued demand for specialised skills in certain industries, Cabinet reiterated that employers must demonstrate genuine and sustained efforts to recruit locally before work permits are approved.
The Labour Commissioner also advised that additional scrutiny is being applied to selected categories of work permit applications, including domestic worker requests, with a focus on verifying both the necessity of the position and the employer’s ability to meet financial obligations.
Officials said these measures are intended to strike a balance between supporting economic growth and safeguarding employment opportunities for nationals.
Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to reducing unemployment, improving workforce participation and ensuring that the labour market operates in a fair, transparent and equitable manner.
The reforms are expected to strengthen confidence in the work permit system while expanding access to job opportunities for citizens and residents across Antigua and Barbuda.
