LABOUR LAW / INFORMATION

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Labour administers the Labour policy in Dominica while the Ministry
of Legal Affairs & Immigration administers Immigration Policy. Following are the major laws that govern
Dominica's labour environment:

Labour Standards Act, 1977

Labour Contracts Act, 1983

Employment Safety Act, 1983

Accidents and Occupational Diseases (Notification) Act, 1951

Protection of Employment Act, 1983

Industrial Relations Act, 1986

Trade Unions Act, 1952

Shop Hours Act, 1937\

Protection of Wages Act, 1961

Employment of Children (Prohibition) Act, 1939

Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act, 1939

Employment and Training Act, 1976

Labour Statistics Act, 1949

Apprentices Act, 1882

Immigration and Passport Act, 1941

Recruiting of Workers Act, 1943

Labour Profile

Training Incentives: Labour turnover: 5-10%

Absenteeism: 3-5%

Education: Formal education is available up to secondary level. Most high schools have a
vocational/technical department, as well as an academic department. The Dominica State College provides
formal training in teacher education, health sciences, tourism, business and technical fields.

The University of the West Indies has an extra-mural department in Dominica.

Labour Productivity: 80%

Training

During the training and probationary period (a maximum of six (6) months), 75% of wages is allowed to be
paid.
Training Facilities:
A skills training program through the Government of Dominica assists in organizing and conducting training
programs together with the company;

The Dominica State College offers training in many technical and vocational areas;

National Development Foundation of Dominica offers business related training for specific needs.

Working Hours

Normal working hours: maximum 8 hours per day, or 40 hours a week.

Overtime: In general, overtime remuneration is one and a half times the hourly pay for time normally worked
in excess of 8 hours on normal working days; two times hourly pay for time worked on Sundays and public
holidays.

Fringe benefits:
Social Security payments:

Employees: 3% of wage to maximum of EC$150.00/(US$55.56)/month

Employer: 7% of wage to maximum of EC$350.00/(US$129.63)/month

· No of Public Holidays: 12

· Vacation leave entitlement:

- Less than five (5) years service - at least two (2) weeks/year
- Five (5) or more years service - at last three (3) weeks/year

Hiring rates:
Minimum wage: US$0.75 per hour (industry minimum averages US$1.20 - 1.50 per hour)

The minimum wage is as per the laws of the Commonwealth of Dominica. However, this is outdated and
does not reflect the actual wages paid in the industry.

Below is a listing of wages as obtained in the tourism industry.

Hourly rates for persons employed in the tourism industry.

Hotel Industry US$(hourly rates)

Sous Chef 5.00
Asst Sous Chef 3.60
Common Chef 2.90
Commis Chef 1 2.20
Commis Chef 2 1.90
Pastry Chef 1.70
Kitchen Assistant 1.50
Bartender 1.70
Wait staff - Restaurant 1.40
Maintenance 2.80
Grounds 1.40
Security 1.60
Supervisors 2.90
Receptionist 2.10
Room attendant 1.40
Laundry Attendant 1.40
Houseman 1.40

Working Hours and Leave Time

By law (Labour Contracts Act), employees cannot be required to work more than 40 hours per week for eight
hours per day. Employees are entitled to at least 30-minute lunch break, and at least one full day off from
work per week. Dominica observes 12 public holidays a year.

Annual leave is set at a minimum of two (2) weeks per year for employees working for fewer than five (5)
years for an employer and three (3) weeks for individuals who have worked for an employer for more than
five (5) years. Part- time employees, defined as individuals working fewer than 1,760 hours per year, are
entitled to either: a) vacation time based proportionally on the amount of time worked in relation to a two (2)
week vacation per year of fulltime work; b) or a payment equivalent to 4% of the annual part- time wages
paid.

Protections for Unionization

The Trade Unions Act, 1952, as amended governs the establishment, rights, and obligations of trade unions.
A union can be formed in Dominica if 20% of a company's workforce wants to organize one.

Mandatory Social Contributions

All employers are required to register with the Dominica Social Security within seven days of hiring an
employee. As stipulated in the Protection Employment Act, 1977, as amended, Dominica Social Security
also collects contributions to a redundancy fund designed to compensate laid-off workers. The employer is
required to deduct 0.25% of an employee's salary to contribute to the fund.

The normal rate of contribution is 7% of the gross salary paid by the employer and 3% of the gross salary
deducted from the employee's wages. Social contributions must be paid for all individuals between 16 and
60, but the maximum salary amount against which social security is charged is EC $5,000 (US $1,852) per
month, or a contribution of EC $ 500 (US $185) per employee per month.

Expatriates who draw a salary in Dominica must also register for and pay into social security regardless of
whether or not they intend to retire or draw benefits in the country.

For further information contact:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Labour

Labour Division

Government Headquarters

Kennedy Avenue, Roseau

Commonwealth of Dominica

Tel: 1-767-266-3332/3220
Email: foreigntrade@cwdom.dm

Ministry of Legal Affairs & Immigration

Government Headquarters

Kennedy Avenue

Roseau

Commonwealth of Dominica

Tel: 1-767-266-3298/3293

Email: legalaffairs@cwdom.dm