Decision took effect on New Year’s Day

CARICOM and Dominican Republic nationals will no longer require a permit to work in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Government of Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced last Friday that, consistent with its obligations under the CARICOM Treaty, it has eliminated the requirement for work permits for nationals of CARICOM countries, who are gainfully employed in the Caribbean twin-island nation. That decision, according to the government, took effect on January 1.

The administration said it took the decision in keeping with the country’s commitment to the economic integration of the Caribbean region, noting that the elimination of work permits for persons, who are gainfully employed, will be extended to people from the Dominican Republic. Earlier, the government announced a waiver for all unpaid work permit fees, which were due up to December 31, 2022,

In combination with this earlier decision, all nationals of CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic, who are now in Antigua and Barbuda and are gainfully employed, will not be required to pay for a work permit.

Statement from government

A statement from the Browne administration indicated that the elimination of the work permit regime for CARICOM and Dom Rep nationals represents an acknowledgment of the role that Caribbean brothers and sisters have played, alongside native Antiguans and Barbudans, in the development of the country and the need for labour as the economy expands.

In the meantime, Harold Lovell, leader of the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), has hailed the move, saying he was gratified to see the Browne administration adopt another of his party’s plans.

Lovell, in a press statement, said the proposal was contained within the UPP’s ‘One Caribbean’ policy, which was announced right after the New Year opened.

He argued that the move shows a clear validation of his vision and ideas and proof that it is the UPP that is poised to take the country to an elevated level.

According to Lovell, the UPP’s policies will not bankrupt the country, as the governing Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party contends, since the Browne Administration already has adopted the Opposition’s proposals on fuel-price reductions and a revision of the minimum wage.

The Opposition party declared that despite the government’s declaration that these categories of residents will be exempted from requiring work permits, it has its reservations about the implementation of the policy.