Hotel Workers to Receive Full Public Holiday Pay After ABHTA and ABWU Agreement

In an achievement for hotel workers, the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) has agreed to align with the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union’s (ABWU) position on public holiday pay entitlements.

This agreement ensures that all hotel workers will receive their rightful pay during public holidays.

In a formal correspondence, the ABHTA outlined the new guidelines for public holiday pay going forward.

Employees who do not work on a public holiday will not suffer any loss of pay. They will receive the basic wage they would have earned for their scheduled work on that day, provided they worked their scheduled days immediately before and after the holiday.

If a public holiday falls on an employee’s scheduled day off, they will have the option to receive either a regular day’s pay or another day off in lieu of the public holiday, subject to employer approval, again contingent on the employee working their scheduled days just before and after the holiday.

This resolution comes after the ABWU issued a stern letter to the ABHTA in May, emphasizing compliance with the Industrial Court ruling, Ref. No. 5 of 1988 (Sundry Workers v. Antigua Catering Services), which set clear precedents regarding holiday pay entitlements.

The ABWU has made it clear that it will take strong action against any hotel or employer that fails to uphold these obligations.

The Union encourages all members to report any breaches of this agreement, reaffirming its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring employer compliance.

With this agreement in place, hotel workers can look forward to receiving their rightful entitlements during public holidays, reinforcing the importance of fair labor practices in the hospitality sector.

Any violation of the public holiday pay requirement to a representative of the ABWU.