Cabinet agrees to increase pensions to minimum of $1k monthly and reduce cost of childcare in creches

The Cabinet appears to be heeding calls by the Opposition and from retired
public-sector workers to increase government pensions. According to this
week’s Notes, the Executive has agreed that the minimum occupational
pension will be raised to $1,000 per month. 

Further, the Cabinet says that tiered increases to higher-earning pensioners
will be calculated and paid on a declining percentage.

Critics say it is sad that some pensioners are receiving less than $1,000 a
month at this time when the Cabinet has justified giving its members two
increases of late.

It was over 15 years ago that pensioners last saw an increase, which was
awarded by the United Progressive Party (UPP) Administration. And for some
time now, the Opposition has been asking for pensions to be linked to
inflation, given that the cost of living has risen significantly.
 
Meanwhile, the president and general secretary of the Antigua Trades and
Labour Union (AT&LU) were invited to the Cabinet on Wednesday, May 15, to
address several issues – including increases to government pensioners.
Among the other issues reportedly discussed, was “gain sharing” – the concept
that, as a company grows and its earnings increase, the gains are to be shared
with its workers.

Other matters addressed, the Notes say, included unemployment among the
youth; an increase in the number of employees who can work from home,
especially public sector workers; and childcare allowance.

The latter should not be achieved by legislation, apparently, but through
negotiations with employers when overtime is warranted, the Union
reportedly said.

The Cabinet reportedly paid particular attention to single mothers and found
that their inability to meet the cost of daycare services tends to prevent them
from acquiring jobs that match their skills.

In light of this, the Executive has decided that crèches owned and operated by
the Government could provide a significant cost-reduction on child-care
services, which will allow young mothers to accept employment.

According to the Cabinet Notes, “areas that are densely populated, where
incomes tend to be low, are to be targeted for this special, subsidized service.”