The long-standing issue of retroactive salary payments owed to public servants is now entering its final phase, with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda moving to complete outstanding disbursements by the end of March 2026.

Cabinet has received and approved a comprehensive update from the Treasury Department detailing significant progress made in settling back pay owed for the period 2018 to 2023—an issue that has weighed heavily on thousands of public servants across the country.

As of January 2026, the Government has disbursed a total of EC$28,716,480.85 to eligible workers and pensioners. The breakdown shows payments reaching a wide cross-section of the public service:
•⁠ ⁠Established employees: EC$12,537,858
•⁠ ⁠Non-established employees: EC$9,800,255
•⁠ ⁠Weekly-paid workers: EC$3,791,284
•⁠ ⁠Pensioners: EC$2,543,917
•⁠ ⁠Separated employees: EC$43,166

Officials say these payments reflect a structured and transparent effort to clear outstanding obligations, while balancing fiscal responsibility.

A defined payment framework has been implemented to guide disbursements. Established and non-established workers are eligible to receive up to two months’ gross salary or the balance owed—whichever is lower—while weekly-paid workers may receive up to one month’s gross salary or their outstanding balance. Retired and resigned employees are also being paid under similar capped arrangements.

Eligibility extends to individuals employed by the Government on or before December 31, 2023, along with specific categories of separated employees and contract officers where provisions apply. However, certain groups remain excluded, including parliamentarians, ministers, judges, participants in the Work Experience Programme, and contract officers without defined eligibility.

Despite the progress, the Treasury has acknowledged ongoing challenges slowing the pace of payments. Among the key issues are missing banking information for some pensioners and separated employees, high volumes of queries due to incomplete or inaccurate submissions from departments, and the need to reconcile recent disbursements.

In response, authorities have ramped up corrective measures aimed at improving efficiency. A dedicated Help Desk has been established to handle queries, stricter data submission guidelines have been enforced across government departments, and periodic reviews of banking information have been made mandatory. Officials have also stepped up communication efforts to ensure public servants are better informed about their eligibility and payment status.

Public servants are being urged to update their records and make use of the Help Desk to avoid delays.

Cabinet has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all eligible workers receive their payments in a fair and timely manner, with the Government now targeting the end of March 2026 to bring the long-awaited process to completion.