The government of Antigua and Barbuda is taking steps to make paternity leave a legal entitlement for male civil servants.
Crown Counsel Zachary Phillips, speaking on behalf of the Attorney General’s Chambers, confirmed that the matter is now in the implementation phase following a Cabinet directive.
“We’ve received a Cabinet decision stating that the paternity leave question will be legislated and regulated soonest,” Phillips said. “The drafting department is now working to finalise the legal framework and determine a reasonable period of leave for fathers.”
While paternity leave is not currently enshrined in law, some private sector employers have voluntarily extended the benefit to male staff.
Phillips noted that the drafting team is carefully considering the balance between fair access and potential misuse. “They are working to find a common middle ground, so we don’t have too many naysayers—or abusers,” he said.
Phillips was speaking during a panel discussion alongside attorneys Jarid Hewlett and Ronard Moore, as well as Jamie Saunders, Executive Director of the Directorate of Gender Affairs. The panel stressed the broader societal benefits of paternity leave, including its role in promoting gender equity and strengthening family bonds.
Moore dismissed concerns that the system could be widely abused, arguing that such fears should not delay progress.
“Anytime we deal with change, there’s a tendency to go to extremes,” he said. “The suggestion that some men may abuse the system—such as having multiple children in a year—should not overshadow the many men who are devoted fathers and supportive partners. Without reform, they too miss out.”
Saunders called for a more equitable approach when determining leave duration. “Even if we don’t agree on three months, five or six days simply isn’t enough,” she said.
Hewlett, who received informal paternity leave while in the private sector, described the lack of a national policy as outdated.
“Paternity leave is essential to fostering the mindset that parenting is not solely a mother’s responsibility,” he said. “It’s about time this conversation entered the national sphere.”
The proposed legislation is expected to include paternity leave provisions in all labour agreements for male government workers. While not yet mandatory across sectors, the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) has successfully negotiated paternity leave clauses for several of its members.