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Speed up your global expansion! Expand smartly in 150+ countries with the #1 rated EOR globally.
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Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Capital
Basseterre
Currency
Eastern Caribbean Dollar
Languages
English and Saint Kitts Creole
GDP per Capita
$19,128
Employer Tax
10%
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
Saint Kitts and Nevis has been primarily dependent on agriculture and tourism; however, the country has recently developed its manufacturing and banking sectors. This is one of the Caribbean countries where foreigners can become nationals by investing in a local venture. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Major economic hubs:
Basseterre, Fig Tree, Market Shop
Skills in demand:
18,740
Million Makers, FirstPoint Recruitment Agency, Caribbean Jobs
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Some common jobs in Saint Kitts and Nevis with average monthly salary are:
| No. | Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (in XCD) | Average Monthly Salary (in USD) |
| 1 | Financial Manager | 6,630 XCD | 2,453.24 USD |
| 2 | General Manager | 5,640 XCD | 2,086.92 USD |
| 3 | Financial Analyst | 4,260 XCD | 1,576.29 USD |
| 4 | Business Analyst | 4,140 XCD | 1,531.89 USD |
| 5 | Project Manager | 4,020 XCD | 1,487.48 USD |
The Protection of Employment Act, Protection of Wages Ordinance, Labour (Minimum Wage) Act and The Holiday with Pay Act, 1968 regulate the employment relationships in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The regulations mentioned below are important elements from these legislations. All employers and employees in the country must follow them to remain compliant.
The laws in Saint Kitts and Nevis require all terms and conditions of employment to be submitted in writing to the employee within 14 days of their request.
The probation period in Saint Kitts and Nevis is a maximum of one month for household employment and three months for other types of employment.
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 2 Jan | Carnival Day | Public Holiday |
| 3 Jan | Carnival Day (Last Lap) | 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 |
| 7 Aug | Emancipation Day | Public Holiday |
| 8 Aug | Culturama Day | Public Holiday |
| 16 Sep | National Heroes Day | Public Holiday |
| 19 Sep | Independence Day | Public Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Public Holiday |
| 26 Dec | Boxing Day | Public Holiday |
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual/Earned Leave | 14 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 10 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 13 weeks | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Payroll cycle
The payroll cycle in Saint Kitts and Nevis is on a monthly basis.
Minimum wage
Saint Kitts and Nevis has a minimum wage of EC$ 9 per hour.
Overtime pay
The standard working hours in Saint Kitts and Nevis are 40 hours with 8 am–4 am or 9 am–5 pm shifts. Employees dedicating additional work hours are liable to overtime pay. The overtime pay is 200% of the hourly wage during weekends and public holidays and 150% of hourly wages on weekdays.
| Contribution type | Rate |
| Social security (main scheme) | 5% |
| Employment injury benefits | 1% |
| Housing and Social Development | 3% |
| Severance payments | 1% |
The contribution amount for the main social security scheme and employment injury is XCD 6,500 each month.
| Contribution type | Income range | Rate |
| Social security (main scheme) | None | 5% |
| Housing and Social Development | Up to XCD 6,500 | 3% |
| XCD 6,500.01 – XCD 8,000 | 10% | |
| More than XCD 8,000 | 12% |
There is no personal income tax in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The standard VAT rate in Saint Kitts and Nevis is 10% within the tourism industry and 17% for other goods and services.
There is no law that mandates 13th-month pay in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The employment contract can be terminated legally in Saint Kitts and Nevis based on misconduct, unsatisfactory performance or mutual agreement. In cases of misconduct or unsatisfactory performance, the employer must give two written warnings to the employee before termination.
The notice period in Saint Kitts and Nevis is mandatory as per the following table:
| Length of continuous service | Notice period |
| 3 months – 11 months | 1 week |
| 1 – 4 years | 2 weeks |
| 5 – 9 years | 3 weeks |
| 10 – 14 years | 4 weeks |
| 15 years | 8 weeks |
| More than 15 years | 2 months |
Employees paid on a monthly basis with the employment of less than 15 years must serve 1 month of notice period.
The labour laws in Saint Kitts and Nevis mandate severance pay for permanent employees at the following rate:
| Length of service | Severance pay |
| Up to 5 years | 2 weeks for each year of service |
| 5 – 10 years | 3 weeks |
| More than 10 years | 4 weeks |
Seasonal employees must be paid a week’s salary for each period of employment.
All non-nationals of Saint Kitts and Nevis must apply for a work permit before the commencement of their employment. The employer is responsible to apply for the work permit, while both employer and employees have to fill up and submit a form each.
The work permit application is accepted only for specialized positions for foreign-based candidates. The job position must be advertised in various media for 3 continuous weeks before submitting the application. A copy of the advertisement must be included in the application for the work permit
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