The government will introduce amendments to Antigua and Barbuda’s Labour Code next year as part of a broader effort to strengthen worker protections and update national wage standards. Governor General Sir Rodney Williams outlined the plans Thursday during the Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament.
Sir Rodney said the Ministry of Legal Affairs will receive additional resources to expand its team of legal drafters, allowing the government to move ahead with long-delayed updates to employment legislation. The goal, he said, is to ensure that “workers in all sectors of the economy are able to be properly represented and their interest protected at all times,” while also guaranteeing fair treatment for employers.
As part of the reforms, the government will activate the Advisory Committee on the National Minimum Wage to begin the process of recommending a new wage rate. The last increase was implemented several years ago, and policymakers say updated data on living costs, labour conditions and business capacity will guide the review.
The Throne Speech also announced plans to expand the Industrial Court with additional judges to speed up hearings and reduce the backlog of unresolved labour disputes. Officials argue that faster case resolution is essential to ensuring fairness and maintaining confidence in the labour-relations system.
Sir Rodney framed the labour agenda as a continuation of the country’s commitment to transparency, rule of law and economic stability, citing Antigua and Barbuda’s ranking as second among CARICOM states—and 38th globally—on the 2025 Rule of Law Index.
The government is expected to outline the specific Labour Code amendments in the coming months, with debate anticipated once Parliament resumes its legislative calendar in 2026.
