Investor's Guide: Labour

St. Kitts & Nevis has a labour force of about 25,000 with a literacy rate of 98%. The country’s technical and training needs are met largely by the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College which offers courses in plumbing, electrical engineering, air conditioning and refrigeration, masonry, carpentry, mechanical engineering, motor mechanics, typing and basic hotel skills. There is also a healthy pool of professionals in fields such as law, medicine, business information technology and accounting. Most of our professionals have been training in the Caribbean, the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom where, many of them gain work experience before returning home.

Unions

Labour Negotiations
The average duration of wage contracts is two years. During contract negotiations, the union with 51% of the workers in that particular industry is recognized by the employer as the worker’s representative; however, some unions do not get involved in contract negotiations.  

Work Week
The typical work week is a 40hrs during the hours of 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm.

Department of Labour Minimum Wage Information

As of 1st November, 2008 the hourly minimum wage is EC $8.00

“Un-skilled Worker” –  a person entering a contract of employment without formal training and qualification and no experience in the category of work.

“Semi-skilled Worker” –  a person entering employment with relevant training and qualifications and/or experience in the category of work.

“Hourly Paid Worker” – a person paid at an agreed hourly rate, notwithstanding he/she may be paid at agreed regular intervals.

“Daily Paid Worker” – a person paid at an agreed daily rate, notwithstanding he/she may be paid at agreed regular intervals.

“Weekly Paid Worker” – a person paid at an agreed weekly rate, without deduction for occasional absence, with the employer’s permission or approval, notwithstanding he/she may be paid at agreed regular intervals.

“Monthly Paid Worker” – a person paid at an agreed monthly rate, without deduction for occasional absence, with the employer’s permission or approval, notwithstanding he/she may be paid at agreed regular intervals.

Overtime
Overtime shall be paid for hours worked in excess of the agreed length of the working day, providing that the agreed working day shall not exceed eight (8) working hours.

In the case of weekly paid workers, overtime shall be paid for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours.

Overtime shall be paid at time and a half (1 ½)  the normal rate during the weekdays and twice (2) the normal rate on Sundays, Public Holidays and Rest Days, except where Sunday is scheduled as part of a shift arrangement, and is therefore paid at time and a half (1 ½ ) the normal rate.

Work done during the normal scheduled day is paid at the normal rate if that day is a Sunday.

Paid Vacation
A worker is entitles to an annual paid holiday of not less than 14 days, excluding Sundays and Public holidays, on the completion of each year of employment.

Retirement Age
55 is the official retirement age; however, many people chose to work well beyond that age.

Typical Benefits
Most institutions (both Government and Private) employ a Contributory Pension plan, and Health Insurance.

National Holidays in 2009

1st January New Years Day
2nd January Carnival Day
4th May Labour Day
1st June Whit Monday
16 September National Heroes Day
19 September Independence Day
10th April Good Friday
12th April Easter Monday
3rd August Emancipation Day
4th August Culturama Day Parade
25th December Christmas Day
26th December Boxing Day

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