Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that his government will raise the national minimum wage once again, marking the third increase in just over a decade under his administration.

Speaking at the Labour Day rally hosted by the Antigua Trades and Labour Union on Monday, Browne said the decision reflects his government’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of workers across the country.

“We will also increase the minimum wage once again,” he said. “It would have been the third time in about 10 to 11 years, because again we are committed to your empowerment.”

The Prime Minister told union members and supporters that the increase would be part of a broader effort to address the cost of living and ensure workers receive a fair share of national development gains.

He added that collective bargaining negotiations would be accelerated and promised further salary increases for public sector workers no later than next year.

“We are committed to make sure that public servants continue to get regular and routine increases,” Browne said. “You don’t have to march or advocate—we will do it because we care.”

Highlighting previous moves such as the elimination of personal income tax, Browne said his administration had sacrificed $45 million in annual revenue to boost take-home pay and ease the burden on the working and middle classes.

“When we eliminated personal income tax, we did not do it for ourselves—we did it for you,” he said. “That’s because we care.”