By Kisean Joseph

A union leader is calling on workers across Antigua and Barbuda to stand up to oppressive employers who fail to recognise their worth.

The comments from Samuel James, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Free Trade Union, come in the wake of protest action taken by more than 60 Antigua Masonry Products (AMP) workers on July 10 over stalled wage negotiations and hazardous working conditions.

But while the industrial action was short-lived and workers returned to the job before the end of the workday, James said more employees need to take a page from the book of the AMP staff in standing up for their rights and rejecting the dictatorial behaviour of some employers.

He is of the opinion that many employees are, in this modern time, working under conditions that replicate slavery.

“I am imploring all workers throughout the state of Antigua and Barbuda to do the same thing that the Masonry Product workers are doing – stand up against employers who think that they don’t have any value, stand up against employers who think that the conditions of work that they provide, whether unlawful or not, that workers have to continue to work under that. We should reject it.

“I mean, we have come from a background of slavery, for God’s sake. And in 2024 now, we are working under the conditions that are similar to slavery in some respect. The only thing that we seem to have lost is the chains,” James said.

“But the mentality of some of the employers, I mean as far as they are concerned, workers have no right and workers should accept whatever is given to them.’’

He claimed that in 2024 people are working in conditions similar to slavery, and “in some respect the only thing we seem to have lost is the chains, the mentality of some of the employers. As far as they’re concerned, workers have no rights and should take whatever they are given”.

James posited that employers should cease trying to exploit workers and pay them their just dues.

“Enough is enough; I think the whole labour force in Antigua and Barbuda should now start to reject this sort of action by employers, especially those that we know … are milking money from this little cow we call Antigua and Barbuda.

“At least give back workers what they are due; give back workers what they deserve. They deserve a share at the table, a share in the profit. Come on, we are simply asking that the employer respect the workers,” James said.