Government delays payment of backpay to workers.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC—The Antigua and Barbuda government said Monday it would have to delay the payment of back pay to public servants scheduled for next month. It hopes that such payment can be made in January next year.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking in Parliament, said that while his administration had initially said it would pay one month’s salary in December as part of the arrears owed to public servants, this cannot now be done.

“We did indicate that we would try for December. At least one union has indicated some concerns, and I suspect those negotiations may be protracted (and) pushing the payments to January next year,” Browne told legislators.

The government hopes to pay at least 70 percent of the outstanding arrears following the 14 percent increase in salaries agreed upon nearly two years ago.

“So we estimated that the backpay will be about EC$100 million (One EC dollar=US$0,37 cents), and instead of burdening the government to come up with a 100 million dollars in one full scoop, the whole idea is to pay about two or two and a half in tranches.

‘So we are hoping that perhaps by January, the latest, we can make a second payment of the backpay,” Browne said, adding that the government spends an estimated EC$35 million in monthly salaries on public sector workers.

“So based on this payment, assuming all goes well and we have to raise the monies when we can make that payment in January of next year, then we would have covered 70 percent of the amounts outstanding and probably more because the 100 million dollars is guesstimated and they (authorities) have not quite calculated the precise figure”.

Browne said he hopes to complete the total payment to the workers by the end of next year.

The Parliament met for the first time since the assassination of independent legislator Asot Michael, who had been found dead at his home earlier this month.

A 26-year-old man has been charged with his murder, and Prime Minister Browne said that at a later date, members will be allowed to pay tribute to Michael.