Dear Editor,

I am writing to inquire an update on the Government’s announced commitment to compensate public sector employees whose wages and salaries were interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a previous announcement, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda stated that Permanent Secretaries were instructed to identify, compile, and verify claims from eligible employees whose income was discontinued or disrupted during the pandemic. Affected employees were required to submit their claims by December 31, 2025, after which verified claims would be forwarded to the Treasury Department, with payments expected to commence in January 2026.

We are now in June 2026, and many affected employees who complied with the process and whose information was submitted to the Treasury Department are still awaiting payment. To date, no payment has been received by numerous claimants.

Could the relevant authorities provide an update on the status of these payments? Specifically:

1. Has the Treasury completed the verification and processing of submitted claims?

2. What is the current timeline for the disbursement of these funds?

3. Are there any outstanding issues causing delays in payment?

4. When can eligible public sector employees realistically expect to receive the monies owed to them?

Many workers have been patiently awaiting these payments, and an official update would provide much-needed clarity and reassurance.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Concerned Public Sector Employee