‘Your Right to Say No’: Union Official Highlights Worker Safety Protections

The Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) is reminding workers across the twin-island nation that they have legal protections when facing dangerous work conditions, according to statements made during a recent episode of The Workers’ Podcast.

Senior Industrial Relations Officer Hazel Luke delivered a straightforward message about occupational safety and health rights that many employees may not realize they possess.

“No employee should feel compelled to work in an environment that poses a danger to their life,” Luke stated during the broadcast. “If a task or the workspace presents a real risk, be it exposure to harmful substances, untrained use of machinery, or unsafe infrastructure, the law allows workers to say ‘no’.”

According to Luke, these protections extend to all workers regardless of nationality or immigration status.

“Whether you are Antiguan by birth or by work, the law applies to you equally. A worker is a worker,” she emphasized.

The union representative pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda has ratified ILO Convention 155, providing a legal framework that prohibits employers from forcing staff to perform dangerous tasks. Despite these protections, many workers continue working in hazardous conditions due to economic pressures or fear of job loss.

Luke encouraged employees to document unsafe conditions, bring concerns to management, and seek union support when confronting workplace hazards. She also directed a message to employers about their responsibilities.

Workers seeking additional information about safety regulations or wishing to report hazardous conditions are encouraged to contact either the ABWU or the Labor Department.