|
 Jamaica
offers a young, literate labour force
of skilled and unskilled persons who adapt
readily to modern technology. Qualified
administrative and professional personnel
are also available.
The employment of persons in the Free
Zones is subject to prevailing labour
relations regulations as it affects the
entire Jamaican labour force. Copies of
the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes
Act are available for reference.
|
| Legal provisions made for
the employment of workers in Jamaica include: |
| Working hours: The
normal working day consists of eight (8)
paid hours. Each company may arrange its
own working hours per day in a forty (40)
hour work week. |
| Overtime:Basic rates
are established under the Jamaican National
Minimum Wages Act. Work done in excess of
an 8-hour day or 40-hour work week attracts
1 ½ times the normal hourly rate.
For rest days and public holidays, workers
are paid twice the normal hourly rate. Provisions
must also be made for statutory deductions
from the payroll. |
| Fringe Benefits: These
vary among employees and in different industries,
but generally range between 22-25% of wages.
These benefits may include production and
other special incentives determined by the
employer. |
| Inclusive are: |
- Sick leave:Within the first
year of employment, staff who have worked
continuously for 110 days are entitled
to one week sick leave with pay. After
the first year, they are due two weeks
leave with pay annually. If the illness
lasts longer than three consecutive
days, a medical certificate from a licensed
physician is required.
- Maternity leave: All female
workers are entitled to twelve weeks
maternity leave; eight of which should
be paid by the employer. Each female
is limited to three paid maternity leave
periods with each employer.
- Vacation leave: Each worker
is entitled to paid vacation leave after
110 working days. After one year's service,
two weeks of paid leave is due annually.
- Probation / Termination: Every
worker should serve for a three month
trial period before being permanently
employed. After this probationary period,
notice by the employer must be given
to the employee in case of termination
and the employer must provide compensation
based on length of service as specified
by law.
- Severance Compensation:Compensation
is payable to any worker who has been
employed for a continuous period of
one hundred and four (104) weeks if
the worker's employment is terminated
wholly or partly for a number of reasons
specified by law. The amount of workmen's
compensation payable is also specified
by law.
- Holidays: The following is
the list of Jamaican legal holidays
at which an employee will be entitled
to a day's pay.
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- New Year's Day
- Ash Wednesday
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Labour Day
- Emancipation Day
- Independence Day
- National Heroes Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
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