Advocate says responsibility for low pay lies with Browne’s own administration, which set the minimum wage – not the Workers Union

An industrial relations advocate of many years’ standing is appealing to local
workers to “wake up,” even as he rubbishes claims by Prime Minister Gaston
Browne that the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) is to be
blamed for hotel workers receiving low salaries and wages.
 
PM Browne was speaking at the annual Labour Day rally hosted by the
Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU).

Addressing Browne’s Labour Day claim that “hotel workers cannot even earn
a decent pay” and are unable to afford even a car loan or obtain a mortgage,
the advocate says he found this statement to be quite instructive.
 
He points out that collective bargaining – which unions undertake with
employers on behalf of workers – is all about adding to the minimum that is
provided for by law.
 
In 2022, shortly before the 2023 General Election, the Browne Cabinet moved
Antigua and Barbuda’s minimum wage from $8.20 to $9.00 per hour. The
advocate notes that this is the rate set by the Government – which PM Browne
heads – and not the unions.
 
Therefore, the advocate asks, if a union cannot get a decent base from which
to start negotiations on behalf of workers, then who really should be blamed
for the workers’ position as described by the prime minister.
 
He is of the opinion that the minimum wage should be closer to $13 per hour.
 
Many say that Browne’s rhetoric is intended to distract from the real issues
impacting Antigua and Barbuda, since the unions do not set the minimum
wage, but only can make recommendations, which then have to be reviewed
by the Minimum Wage Committee.

Meanwhile, several hotel workers to whom REAL News spoke are dismissing
the prime minister’s statement as “nonsense” and “the usual rubbish.”
While “everybody in every economic sector would welcome a salary increase,”
one woman points out that many hotel workers have done well for themselves
and their families, especially when one considers their work is seasonal.

Further, she points to the fact that base salaries are often handsomely topped
up by service charges.

Another hotel worker – a veteran of several decades and properties – says the
prime minister “should be ashamed” to make such statements.

“If tourism is the backbone of our economy for all these years and the pay is as
bad as he says, then tell us why he hasn’t moved to diversify the economy and
give people opportunities in other industries?

“Tell Gaston not everybody can get into government and turn overnight
millionaire,” the man says dismissively.