Vanuatu is a country in the South Pacific Ocean comprising almost 80 islands that cover 1,300 kilometres. The country primarily depends on agriculture and fishing, which employ almost 80% of the population. Vanuatu recorded a GDP of USD 0.98 billion in December 2021, and its GDP grew by 0.5% in FY21.
Port Villa, Luganville, Norsup
Tourist guides, Financial Manager, Fishing, Subsistence farming
The table below mentions the universities in Vanuatu with ranks:
Local: 1
World : 29448
Local: 2
World : 30635
Some common jobs in Vanuatu with average monthly salary are:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (in VUV) | Average Monthly Salary (in USD) |
| Financial Manager | VUV 196,858.33 | 1,688.93 USD |
| General Manager | VUV 610,472.67 | 5,237.51 USD |
| Business Development Manager | VUV 152,083.33 | 1,304.77 USD |
| Financial Analyst | VUV 125,066.66 | 1,072.99 USD |
| Business Analyst | VUV 120,891.66 | 1,037.17 USD |
| Project Manager | VUV 123,933.33 | 1,063.26 USD |
18,280
The employment relationships in the Republic of Vanuatu are overseen by the Employment Act 1 of 1983, Act 20 of 1986, Act 33 of 1989, and Act 8 of 1995. Both foreign and domestic employees must follow the regulations laid down by the Acts or face hefty penalties. The sections below cover the major points of the Employment Acts applicable in Vanuatu.
Employment contracts in Vanuatu can be of both written and verbal forms. However, contracts that exceed 6 months or require employees to relocate for work must be in writing. Furthermore, written contracts must include the names of the parties involved, the nature of employment, compensation amount and mode, and all terms and conditions that apply to the relationship.
The standard probationary period in Vanuatu is 15 days, that can be increased to a maximum of 6 months on mutual agreement.
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 2 Jan | Day off for New Year’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 21 Feb | Father Lini Day | Public Holiday |
| 5 Mar | Custom Chief’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 6 Mar | Day off for Custom Chief’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 7 Apr | Good Friday | Public Holiday |
| 10 Apr | Easter Monday | Public Holiday |
| 1 May | Labor Day / May Day | Public Holiday |
| 18 May | Ascension Day | Public Holiday |
| 24 Jul | Children’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 30 Jul | Independence Day | Public Holiday |
| 31 Jul | Day off for Independence Day | Public Holiday |
| 15 Aug | Assumption of Mary | Public Holiday |
| 5 Oct | Constitution Day | Public Holiday |
| 29 Nov | Unity Day | Public Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Public Holiday |
| 26 Dec | Family Day | Public Holiday |
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual leaves |
|
Yes |
| Sick leaves | 21 working days | Yes |
| Maternity leaves | 12 weeks (6 week before birth and 6 weeks after birth) | Yes |
Vanuatu follows a monthly payroll cycle.
The minimum wage in Vanuatu is VUV 220 per hour, VUV 38,134 per month (40-hour work week) and VUV 41,947 (44-hour work week).
The standard work week in Vanuatu is a maximum of 8 hours per day, 6 days per week and 44 hours per week. If an employee works for an extended period, they are liable to receive overtime pay as per the following rate:
Vanuatu laws do not mandate 13th-month pay for all employees living in the country.
| Contribution | Tax |
| Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) | 4% |
| Contribution | Tax |
| Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) | 4% |
There is no income tax in Vanuatu.
The standard rate of Value-Added Tax in Vanuatu is 12.5%.
A fixed-term contract in Vanuatu is terminated on its expiry date. However, indefinite contracts expire after either party requests a termination and the employee serves the notice period, as mentioned in the employment contract. The notice of termination can be in written or verbal form and can be given at any point of time.
The notice period in Vanuatu is dependent on the following:
| Scenario | Length of notice period |
| The employee is paid within a 14-day interval | 14 days before the end of the final working month |
| The employee is paid in less than a 14-day interval | The same payment interval |
| The employee has served continuously for 3 years or more | 3 months |
The severance pay in Vanuatu is paid according to the table below:
| Period of employment | Severance pay |
| Every 12 month | ½ month’s pay, if employee is compensated at least once a month |
| 15 days’ pay, if employee is compensation at intervals less than a month | |
| Every period less than 12 month | 1/12th of their annual pay multiplied by their length of service |
Vanuatu offers three types of work visas:
The employer is responsible for applying for the work visa on behalf of the foreign employee. They must contact the Department of Labor and Employment Services and submit the following documents:
The standard work week in Vanuatu is a maximum of 8 hours per day, 6 days per week and 44 hours per week. If an employee works for an extended period, they are liable to receive overtime pay as per the following rate:
