Former employees of LIAT 1974 LTD to receive a second compassionate payment
Former employees of LIAT 1974 Ltd will soon receive a second tranche of compassionate payments from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, as the administration continues efforts to provide financial relief to workers displaced by the airline’s closure.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Gaston Browne, announced that an additional EC$2 million has been allocated for former LIAT staff. The funds will be drawn from the government’s bond issue and follow a previous compassionate payout made earlier this year.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne
Browne stressed that the government is under no legal obligation to continue making these payments, but described the initiative as a humanitarian response to the hardships many former employees continue to face.
“This is a gratuitous payment. There is no legal basis to do so,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the government’s actions align with its pro-labour principles and commitment to supporting workers affected by LIAT’s liquidation.
While acknowledging lingering dissatisfaction from some former staff and trade unions — particularly with severance still outstanding — Browne said the administration remains engaged in dialogue and will continue to take reasonable measures within the limits of the public purse.
Eligible former workers will first be required to verify their personal details with the court-appointed administrator for the defunct airline before payments can be processed.
LIAT 1974 Ltd formally ceased operations in 2020 and entered liquidation in 2024, leaving hundreds of employees across the region without severance. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has repeatedly stated that it was not legally responsible for those obligations but has opted to provide limited financial support on compassionate grounds.
Compassionate payment or not, they worked for it. They kept the airline flying. They earned every cent
@Richard
Earn every cent from who?????
the government does have a responsibility here. The former LIAT 1974 workers were effectively displaced or left uncompensated when the airline’s operations changed decades ago. Over time, promises or obligations to pay them were either delayed, ignored, or left unfulfilled. The government, as the ultimate overseer and supporter of LIAT, is responsible for ensuring these workers are treated fairly, especially when past policies or decisions caused their financial loss.
Good move, PM. These workers were left hanging for far too long. Keep the pressure on until everyone is taken care of.
This is a step forward now let’s see the other shareholder governments do their part as well.
Why do Antiguans insist on forcing themselves to feed on a daily diet of LIES, DECEUT and IGNORANCE???? The former LIAT workers are NOT legally entitled to the compassionate severance offered to them by the Government of the day. The sensible ones accepted the offer, with or without thanks. The ABWU/UPP political weevils made a hot mess of the compassionate offer and forced some of their not-too-bright party mites to refuse the offer which was entirely their right so to do.
Let’s not muddy the waters. The former LIAT employees were NOT owed severance by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. FACT!
Want all get none. Just take what the government offering and be grateful considering they don’t OWE ah you anything
We appreciate the government stepping up, but why has this taken so long? These people gave years of service to LIAT
We appreciate the government stepping up, but why has this taken so long? These people gave years of service to LIAT
It’s been years since LIAT collapsed. These workers have families and bills relief shouldn’t come in drips and drops
The Alfa Nero money done spend and we stll on that.