Government Pushes to Complete Back Pay for Public Workers by End of April

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda says it is in the final phase of paying outstanding back pay owed to public servants, with all remaining payments, including those linked to teacher upgrades, set to be completed by the end of April.

According to the Treasury Department, payments are already underway and progressing steadily, with several ministries and departments having received their final disbursements as early as April 2. Another round of payments is scheduled for release by April 10, as authorities work to clear the remaining balances.

The retroactive payments stem from negotiated agreements between the Government and trade unions, which led to salary increases and improved benefits for public officers. Because those increases were implemented after the agreed periods, affected workers are now being compensated for the delay.

The payments cover multiple periods, primarily from 2019 through 2023, following the implementation of new salary adjustments in January 2024.

Eligibility extends to most public sector employees who were in service up to December 31, 2023. Former workers who resigned or retired by the end of 2025 may also qualify once they meet the necessary requirements. However, parliamentarians, ministers, judges, participants in the Work Experience Programme, and certain contract officers are excluded.

The Treasury confirmed that all payments are being made via direct bank transfers, with no cheques issued, and importantly, no taxes will be deducted from the amounts paid.

Officials also noted that some workers who received partial payments in previous years may still be owed a final balance, which will be included in this phase.

To ensure transparency, detailed payment statements will be distributed through Permanent Secretaries once the process is complete.

The Treasury is urging patience as final checks are carried out to ensure accuracy, while also encouraging former employees, particularly those who left before December 2022 and have not received any payments, to submit their information to the Treasury Help Desk at [email protected].

The update comes amid ongoing public interest in the long-delayed payments, with many workers closely watching timelines as the Government moves to settle outstanding obligations.