Public School Teachers in Antigua and Barbuda Enter Day Three of Sit-In Over Unpaid Allowances

By Shermain Bique-Charles
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Public school teachers across Antigua and Barbuda are now entering the third day of a sit-in protest, demanding unpaid allowances and benefits. 

The situation has roots going back to 2018, as highlighted by the President of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers, Casroy Charles.

The payments were initially due by April 30th, but a government minister’s request for an extension pushed the deadline to noon last Friday. 

When that deadline expired without the promised payments, teachers began their sit-in shortly after lunchtime last Friday.

Education Minister Daryll Matthew responded to the protests, asserting that all necessary documentation had been submitted to the Treasury in a timely manner.

“The treasury requested an extension to last Friday, it was given, and the deadline has not been met,” Matthew stated, emphasizing that the issue falls outside his ministry’s jurisdiction since they do not handle payment processing.

The union has pinpointed three key categories of allowances that remain unpaid for several years. These include: Technical Vocational Disciplines Allowances covering the period from 2018 to 2024, Travel and Telephone Allowances for Principals and Deputy Principals from 2018 to 2023 and Outstanding Ex Gratia Payments for Heads of Department covering the period from 2018 to 2021.

The ongoing sit-in has significantly disrupted operations at primary and secondary schools throughout the island.