The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, situated about 250 miles southeast of Puerto Rico, is becoming an increasingly popular tourist attraction. The Antiguan government has concentrated its resources on tourism development in the last few years and offers lucrative foreign investment incentives to potential investors. Jobs in Antigua are varied and provide employment opportunities to both locals as well foreign workers. The major industries providing job opportunities in Antigua are tourism, construction and light manufacturing.
The 30,000-person workforce of Antigua is highly literate, technically sound and congenial. The present economic growth, the lower rate of unemployment (3.5 percent in 1987), and the general islanders' preference for service rather than manufacturing jobs, has forced some producers to import workers from the nearby islands.
In the past four years, Antigua has enjoyed a considerable economic growth. The tourism industry has led to this expansion by luring upscale tourists from the United States and, more recently, from Europe. The Tourism Ministry has instituted innovative programs for the projected doubling growth of the tourist service industry. Currently, The Hotel Training Centre accepts 70 people annually into its primary entry level and management level training courses.
Usually in Antigua, people obtain low paying jobs and few women are even employed in the sex trade either willingly or because they are unable to find some suitable job. Fights or disputes between employers and the Antigua Trade & Labor Union or the Antigua Workers Union are quite unusual. The Industrial Court Act has provided clear instructions for arbitration and also laid down rules to protect foreign investors.
