Massiah Slams Government as “Not for Workers,” Demands Urgent Labour Code Reform After 15-Year Delay

A fiery Labour Day address by Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union General Secretary David Massiah has reignited debate over the state of workers’ rights, with the veteran union leader accusing the government of neglecting the working class and stalling critical labour reforms for more than a decade.

Speaking to union members and supporters gathered for Monday’s Labour Day rally, Massiah did not hold back as he delivered a blunt assessment of the industrial relations landscape.

“We are mindful that we continue to see a government that is not for the working class people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Massiah declared, drawing applause from sections of the crowd.

At the center of his criticism was the long-delayed revision of the country’s Labour Code — a process he said has dragged on for 15 years without meaningful progress.

“The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code has been revised and in revision for the last 15 years, and to date… has not seen the light of day,” he said.

Massiah argued that the failure to modernize labour legislation has left workers exposed in a rapidly evolving global workforce. He pointed to emerging issues such as mental health, workplace stress, and the need for progressive benefits like maternity and paternity leave as areas that require urgent legislative attention.

“We need a new labour code that will reflect what is happening in the world of work today,” he insisted. “Mental wellness and stress within this country is very important… new legislations must be put on board.”

The union leader also used the platform to criticize what he described as ongoing interference in public sector negotiations, accusing successive administrations of undermining fair bargaining processes.

“You have a government that continue year after year, election after election, make sure that they bastardize the negotiation process for the public sector,” Massiah charged.

He called for a comprehensive overhaul of public sector pay structures, arguing that inconsistent employment practices and outdated salary scales are failing workers across multiple professions.

“It’s not only just the policemen, not only just the nurses… but all public sector workers—they need to see a revision that will meet the test of times,” he said.

Massiah also expressed disappointment at what he described as declining worker solidarity, urging employees to become more engaged in union advocacy and national labour issues.

“This is the day that they have to give the solidarity… stand up and be counted,” he said, emphasizing that Labour Day must remain a platform for collective action.

Framing the ABWU as the “union of choice,” Massiah positioned the organization as the primary defender of workers’ rights in the country.

“We are the union that have you at heart,” he said, reinforcing the union’s commitment to continued advocacy.

His remarks set a confrontational tone for labour relations in the months ahead, with renewed pressure now likely to mount on policymakers to deliver long-promised reforms.