ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda government says it will shortly introduce another period of amnesty as part of measures to deal with the shortage of labour in critical sectors of the economy.
The government said the amnesty is intended to address current labour shortages across key sectors of the economy while providing an opportunity for individuals who have fallen out of immigration status to regularise their stay.
A Cabinet statement said that several non-nationals have fallen out of time due primarily to financial constraints, rather than willful non-compliance, and that the amnesty will allow affected individuals to bring their status into good standing without penalty, enabling them to live and work legally and contribute fully to national development.
The initiative is also designed to support employers by expanding the available labour pool at a time when Antigua and Barbuda is experiencing increased economic activity and demand for workers.
The statement said that further details regarding eligibility criteria, application procedures, date of implantation, and the duration of the amnesty will be presented to the Cabinet at its next meeting this week by Immigration Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin.
Meanwhile, the government has announced plans to reduce the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) later this year as part of efforts to cushion consumers from the high cost of living, which is mainly due to the high cost of imported items.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that, with the country importing as much as an estimated 90 per cent of what it consumes, there is very little the government can do to seriously tackle rising prices, as it has no control over the prices of goods imported into the country.
But he said that as a matter of policy, the Cabinet has approved a reduction in the ABST to seven per cent between the second or third quarters of 2026, and that the decision follows careful consideration of the effects of international events on the country’s economy and continued feedback from citizens and businesses regarding the rising cost of essential goods and services.
He said the Cabinet agreed that temporarily easing indirect tax burdens will help households manage everyday expenses while encouraging increased commercial activity across the local economy.
Cabinet said that the reduction will be carefully monitored to assess its impact on consumer behaviour and economic activity and that details regarding the implementation of the measure, including specific effective dates and any administrative guidance, will be communicated by the Inland Revenue Department at a later date.
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