Labour Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin has made it clear that the Gaston Browne administration is not currently considering the implementation of a four-day work week. In a recent statement, he emphasized the complexities surrounding such a proposal, including pay rates and the impact on existing labor agreements.“It’s premature to even entertain this idea,” Benjamin said, assuring both employers and employees that the government has not adopted any policy on the matter.
While some countries have successfully trialed a shorter work week, Minister Benjamin expressed skepticism about its suitability for small nations like Antigua and Barbuda. “Perhaps in the future we may reconsider, but for now, it’s not on the table,” he added.
This weekend, Ralph Potter, President of the People’s Trade Union, indicated that a four-day work week would be among the topics he hopes to discuss with officials from the Labour Department.