Employment
Labour Code with an Industrial Court
The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code is a consolidated statute covering contracts of employment, minimum wage, hours, leave, termination and trade union rights. It creates an Industrial Court with jurisdiction over trade disputes and a Labour Commissioner who investigates individual complaints. Dismissal requires a valid reason within the Code, and the Court can order reinstatement.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National; Industrial Court for trade disputes, Labour Commissioner for individual claims
- Deadline — Unfair dismissal complaint: within three months of dismissal
- Deadline — Severance: due on redundancy by reference to completed years of service
- Deadline — Social security and medical benefits contributions: remitted monthly
Governing law
- Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code
- Industrial Court Act
- Social Security Act
- Medical Benefits Act
In practice
The Industrial Court is a superior court of record and is not bound to follow strict rules of evidence, deciding on equity and good conscience, which gives it a broader remedial reach than the High Court on a wrongful dismissal claim. Because reinstatement is a realistic outcome, employers should not assume that a payment in lieu of notice ends their exposure.