Multiplier Honored by Fast Company’s 2024 List of Most Innovative Companies.

Loading Animation Image

Talent Wiki – Saint Lucia

Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Saint Lucia

Capital

Castries

Currency

Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Languages

English (official), Patois

Payroll Frequency

Monthly, Fortnightly or Weekly

GDP per Capita

$10,758.11

Employer Tax

5%

Talent Overview

Saint Lucia is an island country located in the West Indies near the Caribbean Sea. The country has a great  location and tropical climate that attracts tourists and has shifted its economic focus. Saint Lucia, formerly known as an agricultural based economy is now more of a tourism and banking services-based economy. The country is witnessing an influx of foreign travellers and business people. On average, about 900,000 people visit the country annually. As a result, the tourism industry expanded and has employed the majority of the working population in the country.

Major economic hubs:

Castries, Bisee, Vieux Fort

Skills in demand:

Sales, Web Developers, Cyber Security Specialists, Project Manager, Health & Safety Officers

Saint Lucia Map

Local Universities

The top local universities in Saint Lucia are as follows:

Saint Lucia Uni1

American International Medical University

RANKING

Local: 1

World : 12,043

Saint Lucia Uni2

Sir Arthur Lewis Community College

RANKING

Local: 2

World : 15,263

Saint Lucia Uni3

International American University College of Medicine

RANKING

Local: 3

World : 18,466

Saint Lucia Uni4

Spartan Health Sciences University

RANKING

Local: 4

World : 19,023

Salary Data

Below are the average monthly salaries for some jobs in Saint Lucia:

No. Job Title Average Monthly Salary (in XCD) Average Monthly Salary (in USD)
1 Accountant 1,830 677.14
2 Software Developer 2,540 939.85
3 Financial Analyst 3,600 1,332.08
4 Graphic Designer 1,680 621.64
5 Project Manager 3,150 1,165.57
6 Sales Manager 4,510 1,668.79
7 Customer Service Representative 1,010 373.72
Saint Lucia Talentsource

Talent Sourcing Tips

Top Local Job Boards:

Hired Caribbean; Caribbean Jobs

Number of LinkedIn users:

50,950

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Mampa Employment Agency

Employing in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia employers are expected to abide by the country’s labor code to protect their employees. The law also requires businesses to provide employees with just benefits to ensure that they get the best out of their employment. Below are some aspects that employers should be mindful of when hiring locals.

Employee Contract

Employment contracts in Saint Lucia may be expressed orally or in writing. These contracts must correctly contain the terms and conditions of employment in a language that both parties can understand.

Probation Period

The probationary period for employees in Saint Lucia is generally12 weeks. But can be lesser or more depending on the agreement between employer and employee.

Public and Provincial Holidays 2023

Date Name Type
1 Jan New Year’s Day Public Holiday
2 Jan New Year holiday Public Holiday
22 Feb Independence Day Public Holiday
7 Apr Good Friday Public Holiday
10 Apr Easter Monday Public Holiday
1 May Labor Day / May Day Public Holiday
29 May Whit Monday Public Holiday
8 Jun Corpus Christi Public Holiday
1 Aug Emancipation Day Public Holiday
2 Oct Thanksgiving Day Public Holiday
13 Dec National Day Public Holiday
25 Dec Christmas Day Public Holiday
26 Dec Boxing Day Public Holiday

Employee Leaves

Type of Leave Time Period Mandatory
Annual Leave 16 to 28 days Yes
Sick Leave 12 days Yes
Maternity Leave 13 weeks Yes

Payroll

Payroll 1

Payroll Cycle

Salaries in Saint Lucia may be released monthly, fortnightly or weekly.

Payroll 2

Minimum Wage

Minimum wage in Saint Lucia varies depending on the employee’s nature of work. It ranges from XCD 160 to XCD 300.

Payroll 3

Overtime Pay

Overtime work performed during a regular weekday in Saint Lucia will be compensated at a rate of 150% of an employee’s average hourly rate. In case of working during Sundays, Public holidays or an employee’s day off, the overtime pay will be at 200%.

Bonus

13th Month Pay

A 13th month bonus is not mandatory for Saint Lucia employees.

Employee Benefits

Employees in Saint Lucia are entitled to a lot of benefits during their employment.

Below are some of them:

  • Paid Leaves
  • Retirement/ Pension
  • Medical Assistance
  • Social Security benefits

Taxes

Employer Payroll Tax

Type of Contribution Tax Rate
National Insurance Corporation (NIC) 5%

Employee Payroll Tax

Type of Contribution Tax Rate
National Insurance Corporation (NIC) 5%

Employee Income Tax

Taxable income (XCD*) Tax on column 1 (XCD) Tax on excess (%)
0 – 10,000 10
10,000 – 20,000 1,000 15
20,000 – 30,000 2,500 20
30,000 + 4,500 30

VAT

The standard VAT in Saint Lucia is 12.5%.

Offboarding & Termination

Termination of employment contract may occur in the following circumstances:

  • Constructive dismissal
  • Dismissal for serious misconduct
  • Unsatisfactory performance
  • Lack of qualification or skills
  • Fundamental breach of contract
  • Reason of incapacity or abuse of sick leave
  • Termination due to redundancy

For all the above mentioned reasons, a notice period is generally required.

Notice period in Saint Lucia will depend on the employee’s years of service with the employer. It ranges from 1 week to 6 weeks.

The Severance pay will be based on the collective agreement made with the trade unions and as stipulated in the employee’s contract. For termination due to redundancy, the labor code has specified the following compensation:

Years of Service Severance Pay
> 3 one week’s basic pay for each completed year
3 – 7 two week’s basic pay for each completed year
7 + three week’s basic pay for each completed year

Visa and Immigration

A work permit must be secured for foreign workers to stay in the country for employment legally. The validity of a work permit is one year and can be renewed thereafter.

Foreigners with a valid residence permit will not be allowed to work in Saint Lucia. They must still secure a valid work permit upon receiving an employment contract from a local company.

Saint Lucia Visa
Footer 24x5 New Img2x

Streamline payroll and compliance for your international workforce

Payroll

Minimum Wage

Overtime Pay

Visa & Immigration