Antigua and Barbuda taking major steps towards strengthening labour relations in public sector

SAINT JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA (ILO News) - In an effort to help improve industrial relations in its public sector, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda is collaborating with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to strengthen the country’s compliance with ILO Labour Relations (Public Service) Convention, 1978 (No. 151).  

Convention No. 151 guarantees the right to organize for public employees and their civil and political rights and provides for facilities so that public employees’ organizations can carry out their functions. It also requires the promotion of collective bargaining as well as means for settlement of disputes on terms and conditions of employment of public sector workers.  

During a recent tripartite validation workshop held in Saint John’s from 19 to 20 November 2024, national and international experts provided technical guidance for Antigua and Barbuda to shape a plan of action for the effective implementation of Convention No. 151.  

The validation workshop was developed in response to a recent ILO-led assessment which identified key areas for improvement of Antigua and Barbuda’s implementation of C151 and provided recommendations to fully align with International Labour Standards.

Priority issues include strengthening protections against anti-union discrimination, protecting the right to organize, determining terms and conditions of employment, establishing effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and enhancing collective bargaining rights for public employees.

During the two-day programme, 23 representatives from the Government, trade unions and employers’ organizations joined activities and discussions to share insights on successful ILS implementation practices from international contexts.  

Participating senior officials included The Honourable Steadroy C.O. Benjamin, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour; Eltonia Anthony-Rojas, Labour Commissioner; Pascal Kentish, Deputy Labour Commissioner; David Massiah of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union; Jannelle Wehner-Watts General Secretary of the Antigua & Barbuda Public Service Association; and Karl Spencer of the Antigua and Barbuda Employers’ Federation.  

“Convention 151 plays a crucial role in enhancing labour rights for public sector workers, contributing to more equitable and effective governance,” explained Vera Guseva, ILO Caribbean Workers' Activities Specialist during the workshop.  

Other ILO staff who facilitated the workshop included Carlos Carrion-Crespo, Public Services and Utilities Specialist from ILO-HQ and Shingo Miyake, Labour Law and International Labour Standards Specialist and Nancy Varela, Social Dialogue and Labour Administration Specialist from ILO Caribbean.  

“Antigua and Barbuda can lead by example in the Caribbean, showcasing how small states can uphold international labour standards while driving social and economic progress,” said Jannelle Wehner-Watts.

Taking the advantage of being in the country, ILO also provided a training in regular ILS reporting to tripartite constituents engaged in reporting. The participants familiarized better with the reporting obligations as an ILO member State. Roles of the social partners in the reporting process was emphasized. The Government and the ILO also met separately and planned ILS reporting for 2025.  

Follow up actions in collaboration with the ILO are currently being planned to create an Implementation and Reporting Working Group, that will be empowered to monitor and support the implementation of C151.

Presentations on C151 can be found at the workshop page on the ILO Caribbean website.