For Johnathan, a young employee and member of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union, becoming a father was one of the most profound experiences of his life. Elated by the arrival of his newborn, he describes the joy of fatherhood as a true “grace from God.” The privilege of hearing his child call him “Dad” fills him with immense pride and purpose. But there’s another reason why Johnathan feels especially grateful as he embarks on this new journey: for the first time, he’s able to benefit from paternity leave—a benefit secured for fathers like him by the Antigua & Barbuda Workers' Union (ABWU).
Since 2012, the ABWU has been negotiating paid paternity leave for fathers of newborns, making it possible for dads like Johnathan to be there for their families in those critical early days. While a few Union contracts have been able to secure up to 10 days, most offer between 3 and 5 days. ABWU General Secretary, Sen. David Massiah describes the benefit as “a groundbreaking first step” for fathers in the workforce who want to play an active role in the early days of their child’s life.
Johnathan feels paternity leave is an invaluable benefit for new fathers. “Paternity leave helps me alleviate the burden on my wife, strengthen the bond with my child, and facilitates shared parenting responsibilities,” he explains. Those five days gave him a foundation to build on as a father, ensuring he was present, engaged, and supportive. Yet, like many fathers, he also recognizes that the current leave is far from enough to fully address the needs of new families. “I wished it was more,” he says. “Five days isn’t enough. One month would be ideal.”
His words resonate with many fathers across Antigua and Barbuda, who, while grateful for this benefit, also see the potential for a more extended leave period. For the ABWU, Johnathan’s story exemplifies the significance of paternity leave in creating stronger, more supportive families. With a month of paternity leave, fathers would have even more time to bond with their children, share in the early responsibilities of parenting, and provide their partners with more sustained support during a critical time.
Massiah reassures fathers that the ABWU is committed to advocating for progressive policies that support workers in balancing their personal and professional lives. “While our current paternity leave clause is an important achievement, we recognise that there is still work to be done in supporting young families across Antigua and Barbuda,” Massiah notes.
For now, fathers like Johnathan are thankful for this step forward and anticipate a time when fathers will have an even greater opportunity to be present for their families from day one.
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