Public servants are expected to receive their salaries by Wednesday so families can take advantage of the upcoming back-to-school ABST-free shopping weekend.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said instructions had been issued to ensure government workers were paid no later than Wednesday, giving them access to funds before the weekend shopping initiative.

The temporary zero-rated Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax measure is intended to ease the cost of purchasing school supplies and other eligible items.

Browne also addressed complaints from public servants who had not received back pay, attributing some omissions to administrative gaps within individual ministries. He said affected workers should contact the Treasury so the outstanding sums could be processed.

The early-payment decision forms part of the government’s wider back-to-school support programme.