Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that public servants can expect back pay by December and another salary increase next year, along with a planned rise in the national minimum wage.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in the All Saints West constituency on Thursday night, Browne said his administration remains committed to empowering citizens as the economy continues to grow.

“I guarantee you that life is getting better for the majority of the people of Antigua and Barbuda, and we will continue to make sure that we empower the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.

Browne said the government intends to process back pay for public servants before the end of the year and follow up with an additional pay increase in 2026.

“In fact, this year we will certainly make sure we do a back pay hopefully by December for public servants,” Browne said. “Next year you’re getting another increase again.”

He also pledged to raise the minimum wage next year, saying that workers must share in the benefits of national growth.

“Next year, [we will] increase the minimum wage because we can’t brag that the country [is] growing and developing and you don’t increase minimum wage,” Browne told residents.

The prime minister described the moves as part of his government’s broader commitment to fairness and economic empowerment for all citizens.