Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the government is willing to shoulder 32% of the severance package for the former LIAT 1974 Ltd staff.

That amount represents the shares of the Antigua and Barbuda government.

This statement was made during the first inaugural flight of LIAT 20, where Browne emphasized the government’s commitment to allocate $10 million by the end of the year to pay these workers.

Despite the government’s lack of legal responsibility, Browne assured that the funds would be provided regardless of the support of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union.

“We believe in equity, we believe in fairness, we are a caring government, and we certainly want to make sure that the staff, especially those who have had some severe economic displacements. We want to make sure that we bring some relief to them,” he said

Browne said the government had always wanted to relieve the former workers but was stymied by their ABWU union.

“We wanted to do this three and a half years ago, but unfortunately, we have not had the support of the ABWU and we have now taken a decision to go directly to staff. At this point, we don’t want to argue with anyone. So it doesn’t matter what the ABWU has to say, our position is that by the end of this year, we will make $10 Million available in the first instance”, he said

Browne also encouraged the staff to take what was available since, according to him, “the other shareholder governments will not go as far as making 100% severance”

“I want to encourage the staff to take advantage of the opportunity to receive some kind of payment. I know many of them have been under the misguided notion that they will get 100% severance”, he said

Browne emphasized that he is determined to prevent future generations from seeing the government as having failed to fulfill its commitments to former employees.

Additionally, he stated that despite accepting the government’s offer, former staff may seek the remaining portion of their severance from the other shareholder governments.