COUNTRY

Employment contracts in Trinidad & Tobago can be either oral or written and for a fixed or indefinite duration. Fixed-duration contracts are common. The terms of an employment contract can include identification of the parties, type of work, salary, working hours and contract duration (if it is for fixed term). Collective agreements may also apply.

The standard work period in Trinidad & Tobago is 40 hours a week with eight hours a day over five days. Employees who work in excess of normal work hours are entitled to extra pay. The amount of overtime compensation starts at 1½ times the employees’ hourly rate and may be more depending on how many overtime hours are worked and when the overtime is performed.

In Trinidad & Tobago, sick leave benefits vary by industry and sector. For most private sector employees, sick leave is determined by the employment or collective agreement. Most state employees receive 14 days of sick leave per year.

Female employees receive 14 weeks of maternity leave in Trinidad & Tobago after one year of service. Up to six weeks can be taken before the birth. This can be extended by four to 12 weeks in the event of a pregnancy-related illness. Employees are also eligible for paid time off for pre-natal medical care.

Employers are not required to pay bonuses in Trinidad & Tobago.

Annual leave benefits in Trinidad & Tobago vary by industry and sector. For most private sector employees, annual vacation is determined by the employment or collective agreement. Most state employees receive 14 days of paid annual leave per year, subject to having worked a minimum of 220 days.

In Trinidad & Tobago, the public holidays are:

• New Year's Day

• Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day

• Good Friday

• Easter Monday

• Eid al-Fitr

• Indian Arrival Day

• Corpus Christi

• Labor Day

• Emancipation Day

• Independence Day

• Republic Day

• Diwali/Deepavali

• Christmas Day

• Boxing Day

Trinidad & Tobago provides universal healthcare, but companies may offer supplementary private insurance.

Either the employer or employee can terminate an employment contract in Trinidad & Tobago. The procedures for terminating the contract, notice period and severance requirements generally are governed by the individual or collective employment agreement. For most employees that are paid monthly, the notice period is one month. Special rules apply for redundancy dismissals. Employers must provide at least 45 days of notice in advance of dismissing employees for redundancy and pay severance. The amount of severance starts at two weeks and increases based on the employee’s length of service.