Dear Editor,
A growing number of public servants in Antigua and Barbuda are raising serious concerns about systemic victimization and abuse of authority by senior government officials. Allegations of intimidation, arbitrary transfers, and retaliation against employees who speak out are surfacing across multiple ministries, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
The Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association (ABPSA) has reported an uptick in complaints from civil servants who claim they have been unfairly targeted by departmental directors. These workers allege they have been sidelined, demoted, or reassigned without clear justification, often after voicing concerns or refusing to align with certain internal agendas.
“This is not just about job dissatisfaction,” said a senior civil servant who requested anonymity. “It’s about systemic practices that punish honesty, transparency, and professionalism. Too many of us are working under fear and undue pressure.”
The situation has been exacerbated by recent comments from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who has signaled a crackdown on what he describes as underperformance within the public sector. In a recent address, Browne stated, “Heads are going to roll; we have had ten years protecting incompetence in this country; it is finished.” He further warned, “If we don’t push public sector workers to perform, then you are going to get all ill-treatment.”
These remarks have drawn criticism from opposition figures and public service advocates, who argue that such rhetoric fosters a climate of fear and undermines the morale of dedicated civil servants. D. Gisele Isaac, chairperson of the United Progressive Party (UPP), condemned the Prime Minister’s attacks on public servants as “cruel” and “irresponsible.”
The Ombudsman of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. Marion Blair, has the authority to investigate complaints against public servants or statutory bodies. However, the Ombudsman may decide not to investigate if the complaint is deemed trivial, frivolous, or not made in good faith.
As the government navigates this critical juncture, public servants and the wider community are watching closely to see if justice and transparency will prevail in the ranks of the nation’s civil service.
Public Servant
you are the ones who voted for this government knowing the type of people they are so what’s the problem??
Exactly
If you do your job well and treat people with professionalism and respect then there’s no problem. If you are still being treated unfairly by your superiors, then take it up with the proper chanels because your boss also has a boss. Only the bad tempered, rude and lazy are scared of losing their jobs now and even they have the time to improve.
huuump I cant speak out of fear of being victimized
It’s not only in the public sector it’s happening, these Management just try their best to impress the ones above them and don’t care how they come out on the very workers that they need! Yes they can always replace a worker but a good worker is hard to replace. They don’t consider the workers just their feelings and the persona they fake for the heads above them.
Fraid of the warning laid out by PM Browne hmmmm. Why pass it on the workers tho? Of you were doing your job as a director or manager or managing director or Supervisor or whatever. You wouldn’t have to be like that. Tired of employers, both public and private who thinks it’s okay to walk on their workers. Not because you’re the reason they have a little bread. They are also the face of your company. That’s why most times you got to resign effective immediately.
Abuse of power indeed. Thats how they protect their fake identity.
Neatly all work place is the same, some ppl. Love that they are in a position of influence, to mess with ppl., but not everbody is the same.
Just NAME THE CANCER That is AFFECTING ALL WORK PLACES ……
……. How GENUINE Are Our WORKERS….. Especially THOSE In SENIOR POSITIONS……. How MANY WORKERS May HAVE TO GREASE PALMS In Order To Keep THEIR WORK ….
……. Some Persons in AUTHORITY Can Be VERY CONNIVING ….. When A Person Resists their WRONGDOINGS…. Then That Person is TARGETED …..
……. As A Person at the Lower Level Can Tell You ….. In Many Situations BOSSES of SIMILAR Mentality Make Sure that it is the Persons who are Usually Late, Under Perform, And Carry News that get Certain Promotions ….. So How Can ACCOUNTABILITY Be Measured when The Means of ACCESSING THIS Is Very Absent from the Work Environment …..
……. TALK. TALK. TALK. NOTHING CHANGES ……. The Name of THE GAME …..
Rotten head, Rotten public servants. Simple