Prime Minister Gaston Browne has accused members of the political opposition of attempting to incite protest action among immigration officers and workers at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), warning that such efforts form part of a broader campaign to destabilise the public sector.
Speaking on his Pointe FM radio programme on Saturday, Mr Browne alleged that following the collapse of their claims in the Alfa Nero case, opposition figures are now targeting key government departments in an attempt to provoke industrial unrest.
“They’re talking to people in immigration right now, trying to get them to take protest action,” Mr Browne said. “They now also [are] trying to get the APUA workers over the issue of the establishment of a pension scheme to get them to strike too.”
The prime minister framed the alleged efforts as politically motivated, warning public servants to remain vigilant and not allow themselves to be used for partisan purposes.
“They’re hoping that things could disintegrate so they can have some kind of major protest led by the teachers,” he said. “Now that the Alfa Nero fabrication is falling apart, this is their new strategy.”
Mr Browne emphasised that his government remains committed to addressing public sector concerns, including salary payments, allowances, and benefits, but cautioned against disproportionate or politically driven actions that could harm national progress.
“This is not about workers’ rights — this is a political strategy,” he said. “We value our public servants, but we must stand against the excesses of those trying to undermine our country’s development.”
