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PM Browne says Minister Turner in negotiations with Dominican Republic regarding skilled workers (file photo)
Minister Rawdon Turner is currently engaged in negotiations to bring skilled workers to Antigua and Barbuda as the country faces a critical labour shortage in key sectors. So says Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
This effort is part of a broader initiative to support the island’s expanding economy, particularly in hospitality and construction.
On Saturday, Browne highlighted the dire need for workers, stating that the rapid economic growth and increased construction activities, fueled by foreign investments, have created a significant gap in the labour market.
“We’re experiencing shortages in sectors such as hotels and construction, which has led us to import workers,” Browne noted.
The ongoing national housing programme has been particularly affected, with construction stalling due to insufficient labour. In response, Turner is negotiating with the ambassador of the Dominican Republic to secure workers who can help alleviate the strain.
“It’s essential for us to bring in skilled labour to keep our development projects on track,” said Turner.
Browne emphasized the unprecedented nature of this move, recognizing the critical role foreign workers will play in sustaining momentum in various development projects across the nation. As the government aims to navigate these challenges, both leaders remain optimistic about the future of Antigua and Barbuda’s economy.
Why import workers when the country has so much skilled workers the government don’t want to pay the skilled workers here they prefer to bring in workers so they can pay them what they want why Dominican Republic, why not get workers from the Caribbean region smh
You are spot on. Our government just want to keep digging out the eyes of the masses.
The government is looking for cheap labour like other countries. Most of these cheap labourers come in and end up with top-position jobs in management and supervisory positions.
We don’t have factories, so why does the government need to outsource for cheap labour?
This summer coming up, we will be having thousands of students leaving secondary school, college, UWI, ABIIT, ABICE, and ABHTI looking for jobs in the different fields of employment.
Government making its sound like the young don’t want to work and learn nothing….I’m just finding out that antigua doesn’t have skill workers really all these years no skilled workers smh
Antigua does have skilled workers. The government is not searching. OSEC has a list of applicants who registered for employment. I know of that because I registered twice there in 2016 and re-registered in 2018, and up to this day, no one has called me to say that they have found employment for me. OSEC staff need to do their job in getting the applicant employment.
They have been saying that since Covid so when it happens I will be happy
What the heaven you talking about??
Skilled workers my foot. So many unemployed Antiguans and they “are” looking for work. We are nothing but 3rd class citizens in our own country.
Many local people really don’t want to work, they are lazy, and the government is forced to bring workers from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and China.
BIG LIE!!!! No SKILLED Workers in ANU/BAR — Local, OECS, and Regional????
……..Or is it that The Ones They Require MUST SUPPORT THIS ADMINISTRATION IF THEY WANT WORK???
…….THIS ADMINISTRATION has done NOTHING To TRAIN Skill Workers in ANY FIELD That Is Needed Locally for ALL OF ITS YEARS IN ADMINISTRATION……. SHAME SHAME SHAME …..
…… ASK THEM WHAT ABICE HAS BEEN DOING ALL THE YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE …….WHAT of the Programs Carried out by our Antigua State College for Years????
……. I am Sick and Tired of How THIS Administration PULL WOOL Over The Eyes of The People In THIS Nation in Its Bid to work AGAINST Our Local and OECS NATIONALS ……! Maybe except the Ones who SUPPORT The SITTING ADMINISTRATION!!!!
…….. WHY???? What is The REAL Agenda Here???? Why go to the Dominican Republic….. The Language Barrier Just might make it EASIER to get persons into the PARTY that SUPPORTS The Present Administration….. Let Us be UPFRONT And CALL A SPADE A SPADE…… We All Know that Many Persons from THIS COUNTRY (Some Quite FALSELY) Claim Antiguan Heritage …. BINGO!!!!!!
……. LOOK Under The TABLE People!!!!
WISE UP …… 🌻😇🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿😭