LETTER: Exploitation of Some Non-National Workers Must End

Dear Editor,
I write to bring to public attention the troubling exploitation of non-national workers within Antigua and Barbuda’s construction industry.

A recent incident at a major resort, involving employees of a private enterprise there, highlights the vulnerability of these laborers when they attempt to assert their rights.

Two Jamaican workers raised legitimate concerns about being required to work excessively long hours without receiving overtime pay. Instead of their complaints being addressed, they were punished.

The very next day, on September 10th, both were told not to report for duty. They were summoned to a meeting at noon, ordered to vacate their living quarters, and instructed to prepare for deportation.

One worker described how his personal belongings were thrown on the floor and his bed removed as part of a hasty and unlawful eviction carried out by associates of the man in charge. By the following morning, September 11th, both men had been forced onto a flight out of Antigua.

One of the workers filed a complaint at a police station. Yet, instead of offering protection, the responding officer called the man’s wife to inform her that the worker “had a case against them.”

Such actions highlight not only an abuse of power but also a glaring failure to protect the rights of these men.

Equally troubling is the fact that these workers had been employed for months before their work permits were even processed, an outright violation of immigration and labor laws.

Furthermore, deductions were reportedly taken from their salaries to cover rent and even to repay airline tickets for their initial travel to Antigua.

While a complaint has reportedly been lodged at Sandals, this issue goes far beyond one employer or one project. It reflects a systemic problem where migrant workers are targeted precisely because of their lack of knowledge of local laws and their fear of retaliation.

It is high time for greater scrutiny and accountability in how non-national workers are treated. Exploitation of the vulnerable should never be allowed to hide in silence. Antigua and Barbuda must do better to uphold the dignity and rights of every worker within its borders.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Individual