Global tourism workers’ coalition stands with Antiguan and Barbudan workers against unfounded attacks by national government.
The Tourism Workers’ Alliance (TWA) – representing more than 16 million workers in 150 countries –stands resolutely with the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) against a recent series of unwarranted attacks by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, including the proposal to establish a so-called “union” entity to diminish the ABWU’s power in the hotel industry. We consider this move a blatant attempt at union-busting.
The TWA recognises that the tourism industry relies heavily on transport workers – from aviation and maritime crews, to bus and rail operators. These workers form the backbone of global tourism, ensuring the seamless movement of people and goods that sustain the sector. However, their contributions are often undervalued, and they face increasing challenges such as job insecurity, poor working conditions, and union-busting efforts – most recently exemplified by the attacks on the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union.
We strongly caution the Government of Antigua and Barbuda against any legislative manoeuvres or policies favouring this new entity, which threatens to fragment and weaken workers’ power in the hotel sector.
Union-busting attempts such as these violate international labour standards. The TWA is prepared to leverage its global network of affiliates to draw international attention to these actions. Attempts to weaken or sideline the ABWU will be met with strong resistance from the international labour movement.
The ABWU has been a committed champion of hospitality workers’ rights and welfare, achieving:
- A robust Retirement Fund benefiting thousands of workers, with over 10 million saved so far
- Comprehensive Medical Insurance for hotel workers and their families, substantially funded by employers
- Multiple allowances and benefits (transportation, meal subsidies, uniforms), reflecting the ABWU’s dedication to improving working conditions
Rather than recognising these gains, the proposal to establish a separate hospitality union undermines workers’ collective power and decades of advocacy. If the Prime Minister truly wishes to have a positive impact and foster meaningful change, he could:
- Develop a cross-party coalition to establish an increased minimum wage for hospitality workers
- Lower the recognition threshold for workers to organise and bargain agreements directly
- Refrain from playing party politics with workers’ livelihoods
The TWA considers the Prime Minister’s actions disingenuous and detrimental to hospitality workers’ interests. Genuine efforts to improve working conditions should begin with constructive dialogue and collaboration with existing unions, not manoeuvres to dismantle them. The ABWU’s track record speaks for itself: it is a credible, effective voice for workers that has made measurable progress in ensuring dignity, equity, and justice in the hospitality sector.
We urge the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to abandon these divisive tactics and work alongside the ABWU to build on the success it has already achieved. Only through unity and collaboration can we secure meaningful, sustainable improvements for all workers in the hospitality industry.
The TWA reaffirms its solidarity with the ABWU and all workers in Antigua and Barbuda. We stand ready to support the union in its ongoing fight for dignity, equity, and justice for hospitality workers – who deserve respect and recognition as the backbone of the nation’s tourism economy.
The TWA’s commitment to the tourism sector centres on increasing access to union representation and raising employment standards for transport workers involved in tourism.
We achieve this by:
- Building affiliate capacity to organise, represent, and collectively bargain
- Leveraging industrial relationships and partnerships within the transport and tourism sectors
- Establishing human rights due diligence models to protect workers from exploitation
- Collaborating with other global union federations to strengthen worker protections across borders
The TWA focuses on supporting a sustainable, safe, and resilient recovery of the tourism industry by:
- Increasing workers’ voices in the transformation to a sustainable tourism industry
- Increasing workers’ access to trade unions and collective bargaining
- Ensuring corporate accountability for all workers in the value chain
- Eradicating human trafficking
- Protecting workers’ health and safety
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