Employment and labor laws vary from country to country. This guide is intended to provide the most up to date information available. We will update this guide as needed when changes are made to the laws.
Employment Contracts
Employers are legally required to provide formal written contracts for all employees that include salary/wage, termination terms, job title, etc. The contracts must be written in English and use the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar currency (TTD).
Working Hours
The standard working week consists of 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day.
Overtime
All work more than the standard working hours a week is to be paid as overtime and is regulated by employment contract/collective agreements. When an employee is requested to work overtime or work on holidays, there are maximums in relation to the number of hours allowed.
All overtime hours of more than eight hours per day are paid at an overtime compensation rate of 150.00% of the employee’s regular pay rate for the first additional four hours of overtime. For hours performed more than the extra four, the overtime is paid 200.00% of the employee’s regular salary.
Public Holidays
Public holidays falling on weekends are usually moved to a weekday in lieu.
For the year 2024:
- Jan 1: New Year’s Day
- Mar 29: Good Friday
- Mar 30: Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day
- Mar 31: Easter
- Apr 1: Easter Monday
- Apr 10: Eid ul-Fitr
- May 30: Corpus Christi
- May 30: Indian Arrival Day
- Jun 19: Labor Day
- Aug 1: Emancipation Day
- Aug 31: Independence Day
- Sep 24: Republic Day
- Oct 31: Festival of Lights
- Dec 25: Christmas Day
- Dec 26: Boxing Day
Annual Leave (vacation)
In Trinidad and Tobago, the annual leave entitlement depends on the employee’s industry and sector with the entitlement stipulated in the employment contract/collective bargaining agreement. Commonly, private sector employees who have worked 220 days for one employer should be entitled to two weeks of paid annual leave.
Sick Days
In Trinidad and Tobago, the sick leave entitlement depends on the employee’s industry and sector with the entitlement stipulated in the employment contract/collective bargaining agreement. Commonly, state employees should be entitled to two weeks of paid sick leave.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave following one year of continuous service within an organization. Maternity leave can be extended by four to twelve additional weeks of leave in the event of pregnancy-related illnesses.
Paternity Leave
There is no law that provides paternity leave.
Parental Leave
There are no provisions in the law regarding parental leave.
Other Leave
There are no additional statutory leave entitlements in Trinidad and Tobago.
Employee Severance and Terminations
Termination Process
The termination process varies according to how the employment agreement and collective agreement are in place and is based on the type of contract and reason for termination.
Notice Period
The notice period for all employees should be presented in writing at least 45 days before termination.
Severance Pay
If an employee has retired or has been made redundant in that case severance pay is not required.
Severance pay is dependent on the employee’s length of service as specified below:
- For more than 1 year of service but less than 5, an employee is entitled to 2 weeks’ pay for each year of service
- For more than 5 years of service, an employee is entitled to 3 weeks’ pay for each year of service
Probation Period
The probationary period in Trinidad and Tobago is dependent on the type of role and is stipulated within the employment agreement. In general, probation periods are typically between three and six months.
Payroll Cycle
Wages must be paid at least once a month.
The minimum wage is 17.50 TTD per hour.
13th Salary
A 13th-month salary payment in Trinidad and Tobago is not mandatory, and bonuses are granted at the employer’s discretion; these tend to be performance-based.
Employer Payroll Contributions
VISA
Unless exempt by treaty or other agreement, foreign nationals must apply for a business visa before arrival to conduct business activities in Trinidad and Tobago. Visas are generally issued with a 90-day authorized stay and allow a single entry into the country.
Visa-exempt nationals do not require a visa for entry for business purposes for up to 30 days, 90 days, 90 days within 180 days, or for the period allowed by the immigration officer at the port of entry, depending on their nationality.
In practice, the period of stay is generally granted for 21 days.
Foreign nationals entering Trinidad and Tobago for gainful employment may do so without a work permit for a single entry for a period of up to 30 days every 12 consecutive months. Otherwise, a work permit is required. Work permits may be granted initially for up to three years. They must usually be accompanied by a Multiple-Entry Visa, except for Canada and European Union passport holders.
VAT
The standard rate of VAT in Trinidad and Tobago is 12.50%.