Abwu Wants – The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) is calling for stronger protections and greater equity for workers.
Abwu Wants Stronger Protections
In a Labour Week message under the theme “Strengthening our Commitment to Social Development and Equity”, General Secretary of the ABWU David Massiah highlighted the development of the Labour Code and Social Security Scheme as major achievements that improved protections and financial security for workers.
He also highlighted the role of the ABWU in reducing the standard work week from 48 to 40 hours. Massiah described this as a milestone that advanced dignity that balanced and improved quality of life for workers and their families. The general secretary noted that these gains were built on years of advocacy and collective action by workers and their representatives.
However, he said that while significant progress has been made, existing labour laws and systems must be updated to meet the demands of a changing workforce.
“The world of work is evolving rapidly. Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, the gig economy is expanding, and remote work is becoming more common,” he said.
However, Massiah said that more work is required to update legislation, strengthen accountability and expand training opportunities to help workers adapt to modern demands.
He added that there must also be greater focus on equipping workers with practical skills to access meaningful employment and contribute to national development.
“We must ensure that, despite these changes, workers retain their dignity, their rights are protected and new benefits are pursued to enhance their quality of life,” he said, adding that workplaces must not profit at the expense of people and that workers deserve fair wages, financial security and protection from exploitation and discrimination.
Massiah also called for equal opportunities for women and young workers, including equal pay for equal value and access to decent employment. He said greater emphasis must be placed on education, skills training and lifelong learning to ensure these groups can fully participate and advance in the workforce.
The union is also urging the government to establish a disability insurance framework to better support workers who sustain injuries on the job, noting that existing compensation systems do not adequately meet workers’ needs.
Massiah also encouraged workers to show solidarity by participating in the Labour Day March and Rally at the ABWU Headquarters on lower Newgate Street on Monday.
