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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 Lucia
Capital
Castries
Currency
Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Languages
English (official), Patois
GDP per Capita
$10,758.11
Employer Tax
5%
Payroll Frequency
Monthly, Fortnightly or Weekly
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:
Local: 1
World : 12,043
Local: 2
World : 15,263
Local: 3
World : 18,466
Local: 4
World : 19,023
Hired Caribbean; Caribbean Jobs
50,950
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
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 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.
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.
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.
| 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 |
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 16 to 28 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 12 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 13 weeks | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Payroll cycle
Salaries in Saint Lucia may be released monthly, fortnightly or weekly.
Minimum wage
Minimum wage in Saint Lucia varies depending on the employee’s nature of work. It ranges from XCD 160 to XCD 300.
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%.
| Type of Contribution | Tax Rate |
| National Insurance Corporation (NIC) | 5% |
| Type of Contribution | Tax Rate |
| National Insurance Corporation (NIC) | 5% |
| 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 | |
The standard VAT in Saint Lucia is 12.5%.
A 13th month bonus is not mandatory for Saint Lucia employees.
Employees in Saint Lucia are entitled to a lot of benefits during their employment.
Below are some of them:
Termination of employment contract may occur in the following circumstances:
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 |
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.
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