Prime Minister Gaston Browne say public servants are expected to receive their salaries by Wednesday, ahead of the upcoming Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST)-free shopping weekend.
Prime Minister Browne said instructions have been issued to ensure government workers are paid no later than Wednesday, allowing families to access funds before the back-to-school shopping initiative. ‘We’ll have public servants paid no later than Wednesday or Thursday, so that by Friday they will have money to go shopping,’ Browne said that the temporary zero-rated ABST measure is intended to reduce the cost of school supplies and other eligible items.
Last week, Cabinet announced the ABST-free shopping weekend will be held this weekend as part of the Government’s continuing efforts to assist parents and guardians with the cost of preparing students for the reopening of schools following the summer holidays.
It said during the two-day period, the ABST will be reduced to zero per cent on qualifying school and food items, providing families with an opportunity to make essential back-to-school purchases at reduced cost.
In April, Cabinet implemented a similar measure and a Cabinet statement said the Inland Revenue Department will provide the necessary guidance to businesses and the public on the qualifying school supplies and administrative arrangements for the two-day ABST Reduction Weekend.
Browne also addressed complaints from public servants who have not received back pay, attributing some omissions to administrative gaps within individual ministries.
‘Well, there are some gaps there, all they have to do is get on to the treasury and we will pay. We apologize, but again there has been some tardiness from the respective ministries.’
He said the initiative to provide this ease of the financial pressure for parents, bolster, once more, the government’s efforts to empower Antiguans and Barbudans through economic and educational opportunities.
Browne also denounced the narrative that the actions were solely out of rage and he credits it to a broader lack of appreciation and woeful negligence.
‘They have this benign mindset where they believe that public assets are meant to be abused. I don’t think it’s necessarily a function of poverty, because when we (as a society) were poorer the place was cleaner.’