Government workers to get early pay in December, tariffs scrapped for ham and turkeys during holiday season

Published
Government workers to get early pay in December, tariffs scrapped for ham and turkeys during holiday season

Government workers will be receiving an early gift for Christmas.

Director General of Communications in the Prime Ministers Office Maurice Merchant shared the news.

“The Treasury of Antigua and Barbuda has advised that salaries for the month of December will be paid preceding the 19th of December. So, that’s an early payment.

The Yuletide season is a time of giving and along with the early salary, Cabinet has announced a waiver of duties and taxes (customs duties, import duty, ABST, and other applicable charges) on the importation of hams, turkeys, and whole chicken between 25 November and 25 December aimed at lowering the price of festive foods and supporting households over the Yuletide period.

In the face of rising global food and import costs, the waiver on poultry and holiday imports, combined with broader recent measures to zero-rate essential food imports, is part of the government’s commitment to help households manage inflationary pressures.  

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/11/27/government-workers-to-get-early-pay-in-december-tariffs-scrapped-for-ham-and-turkeys-during-holiday-season. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.

Editorial Staff

About the author

The Editorial Staff refers to all reporters employed by Antigua.news. When an article is not an original creation of Antigua.news—such as when it is based on a press release, other media articles, letters to the editor, or court decisions—one of our staff members is responsible for overseeing its publication.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (5)

  • Yolanda November 27, 2025, 8:02 PM

    Some good news at least
    Reply
  • Informed citizen November 27, 2025, 9:20 PM

    This should make December a lot less hectic for families budgeting for the season.
    Reply
  • Lena November 27, 2025, 9:37 PM

    Government say ‘merry Christmas,’ but landlord still ah say ‘run me money
    Reply
  • Apex Jones November 27, 2025, 10:48 PM

    Lawd by the time Christmas reach ah broke
    Reply
  • Bomm November 28, 2025, 10:59 AM

    Well look gift before Christmas! Early pay always welcome. Now me can sort out me bills and do me shopping in peace
    Reply

Submit a comment

More from Antigua and Barbuda

View section