Breadcrumb

Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code (No. 14 of 1975) (Cap. 27).

Country(ies)

Antigua and Barbuda

Subjects (Classification)

General provisions; Labour codes, general labour and employment acts

Adopted on (Date of text)

1975-09-19

Scope of text

National

Type of legislation (Type of text)

Law, Act

Abstract/Citation

Brings together all major legislation applicable to employment standards and industrial relations. Division A sets out declaratory principles. This includes the intent and national policy principles underlying the enactment of the Code. It also provides definitions for use throughout the Code. Division B makes provisions governing the administration of the Code. This includes the creation, composition, responsibilities, procedures and compensation of a Labour Board and Arbitration Tribunal. It also establishes procedures for decisional officers and the Board of Review (for review of administrative decisions). It sets out the responsibilities of the Labour Commissioner with regard to the decisions of decisional officers. It gives the responsibilities of Labour Inspectors. Division C concerns basic employment. Part One sets out regulations on the commencement, elementary requirements and termination of employment. This part prohibits discrimination on the basis of "race, colour, creed, sex, age or political beliefs". It also includes provisions on contracts and probationary periods. Part Two makes regulations on leave privileges. Part Three deals with renumeration and hours of work. It sets a national minimum wage rate and maximum hours of work on a daily and weekly basis. It also gives the rules concerning payment of wages, deductions and penalties. It repeals and replaces the Protection of Wages Act. Part Four provides regulations regarding severance pay. Part Five concerns both unfair and fair dismissals. All of the first five parts of Division C include provisions on proceedings and penalties for violations of legislation. Part Six sets out administrative and miscellaneous regulations. Division D deals with employment, health, safety and welfare. Part One concerns general application. Part Two sets minimum registration, health, safety and welfare requirements. Part Three provides for administrative procedures. Part Four establishes regulations on offences, penalties and legal proceedings. Part Five gives the consequences of decisions and procedures on their repeal. Division E makes regulations on the employment of women, young persons and children. Part F sets out application procedures, fees and penalties concerning work permits. Part G deals with legislation regarding Trade Unions. Part One sets out general principles. It deals with union membership, formation, amalgamation, and funding. Part Two gives general provisions applicable to registered unions. Division H concerns bargaining agent registration. It defines the eligibility of bargaining agents (unions or employers' federations) for registration and sets out registration procedures. Division J concerns employee-representation questions, with principles regarding employee registration and makes procedures on the method of resolving representation questions. Division K sets out the general law on industrial relations. It establishes the protection of self-organizational rights in Part One. Part Two deals with trade disputes. It defines the meaning of "trade dispute" and makes explicit the law governing formal proceedings. Part Three makes provisions on industrial action including the establishment of the right to undertake industrial action (strikes and lockouts). Part Four provides for procedures regarding collective agreements. Finally, Part Five makes administrative and miscellaneous regulations.