Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2023)

• 1.   Short title

• 2.   Interpretation

• 3.   Application

• 4.   Non-contracting clause

• 5.   Conflicts between this act and any other enactment

• 6.   Prohibition against forced labour

• 7.   General prohibition against discrimination

• 8.   Protection of freedom of association

• 9.   Direct complaint to the tribunal

• 10.   Application

• 11.   Interpretation

• 12.   Types of contract

• 13.   Particulars of written contract and content of contract

• 14.   Request for written particulars

• 15.   Delivery of contract

• 16.   Fines for false particulars and contraventions

• 17.   Amendment of contract

• 18.   Capacity to contract

• 19.   Exemptions

• 20.   Family members

• 21.   Assumption of a contract for an indefinite period

• 22.   Existing contracts to continue in force

• 23.   Duration of continuity of employment

• 24.   Continuous employment for seasonal employees

• 25.   Successor employer

• 26.   Interpretation

• 27.   Duration of working week

• 28.   Weekly rest

• 29.   Maximum ordinary work day

• 30.   Split shifts and occasional shifts

• 33.   Prohibition of work on public holidays

• 34.   Pay for public holidays for daily paid workers

• 35.   Employees may opt to perform night work

• 36.   Reasonable alternative for discontinuing night work

• 37.   Power to make regulations

• 38.   Wages to be paid in legal tender

• 39.   Agreements as to place and manner of spending wages

• 40.   Payment of wages by cheque

• 41.   Wages to be paid directly to employees

• 42.   Employee's right to recover

• 43.   Pay periods

• 44.   Employer to fix pay days

• 45.   Wages to be paid on completion of contract

• 46.   Wages to be paid on termination of contract

• 47.   Interest on advances prohibited

• 48.   Advances by way of loans

• 49.   Recovery of advances and excess in payment of wages

• 50.   Payment of outstanding balance of advances and excess of payment of wages

• 51.   Deductions of payment in respect of fines restricted

• 52.   Deductions for obtaining employment prohibited

• 53.   Deductions authorized in certain cases

• 54.   Saving as to judgement debts

• 55.   Agreements of cooperation

• 56.   Remuneration other than wages

• 57.   Wages not to be paid on certain premises

• 58.   Sale of goods or services by employer to employees

• 59.   Special provision for service charges, share of profits or commission

• 60.   Employees in the employment of contractors

• 61.   Limitations on attachments or seizure of wages

• 62.   Wages to be priority debt

• 63.   Employers to issue details of wage payments

• 64.   Offences under this division

• 65.   Repayment of wages

• 66.   Regulations

• 67.   Deduction for provident or pension funds

• 68.   Fixing of minimum wage

• 69.   Establishment and composition of minimum and equal wages commission

• 70.   Appointment and resignation

• 71.   Remuneration of members

• 72.   Assignment of staff

• 73.   Functions of commission

• 74.   Procedure

• 75.   Power to summon

• 76.   Minister to refer to commission

• 77.   Invitation for comments and objections

• 78.   Objection

• 79.   Recommendation or advice by commission

• 80.   Matters for consideration in proposing a minimum wage

• 81.   Advice of commission

• 82.   Effect of minimum wage order

• 83.   Saving of existing level of wages

• 84.   Records

• 85.   Powers of inspection

• 86.   Authorization for commission to obtain information

• 87.   Recovery of wages

• 88.   Offences in relation to this division

• 89.   Application

• 90.   Sick pay

• 91.   Uncertified sick leave pay

• 92.   Certified sick leave

• 93.   Employer's obligation toward sick pay

• 94.   Determination of medical matters

• 95.   Interpretation

• 96.   General entitlement to vacation leave

• 97.   Amount of vacation leave with pay

• 99.   Periods of vacation leave

• 100.   Public holidays not to be counted

• 101.   Employee not to be terminated during vacation leave

• 102.   Exclusions from vacation leave

• 103.   Employee not to be compelled to forego vaction leave

• 104.   Proportionate vacation leave

• 105.   Vacation leave pay upon termination

• 106.   Vacation leave pay upon termination before qualifying period

• 107.   Records

• 108.   Complaints

• 109.   Interpretation

• 110.   Provisions deemed to be included in public contracts

• 111.   Established rates and conditions of employment

• 112.   Labour commissioner to set rates and conditions

• 113.   Certificate of fair and reasonable conditions

• 114.   Disputes on remuneration

• 115.   Accounts

• 116.   Sub-contractors

• 118.   Information

• 119.   Default in payments

• 120.   Posting of conditions of work

• 121.   Prohibition on non-compliant contractors

• 122.   Prohibition of child labour

• 123.   Medical certificate of fitness

• 124.   Register of children and young persons

• 125.   False certificates

• 126.   Regulations for the employment of young persons

• 127.   Penalties for child and young person labour

• 128.   Non-application

• 129.   Valid reason for dismissal

• 130.   Probationary period

• 131.   Unfair dismissal

• 132.   Constructive dismissal

• 133.   Summary dismissal for serious misconduct

• 134.   Entitlement to remuneration on summary dismissal

• 135.   Warnings and termination for misconduct

• 136.   Unsatisfactory performance

• 137.   Dismissal where unsatisfactory performance is due to the natural aging process

• 138.   Dismissal for lack of qualifications or skills

• 139.   Dismissal for fundamental breach of contract

• 140.   Natural justice safeguards

• 141.   Options to suspend or warn in lieu of dismissal

• 143.   Dismissal for reason of incapacity or abuse of sick leave

• 144.   Remuneration due upon dismissal

• 145.   Termination due to redundancy

• 146.   Constructive redundancy

• 147.   Effect of sale

• 149.   Option for severance pay from successor employer

• 150.   Winding up

• 151.   Death of employer

• 152.   Priority debts on death of employer

• 153.   Notice periods and exemptions from notice

• 154.   Notice not relevant to question of unfair dismissal

• 155.   Payment in lieu of notice

• 156.   Certificate of termination

• 157.   Fines and discipline

• 158.   Burden of proof

• 159.   Age of retirement

• 161.   Severance pay

• 162.   Non-entitlement to redundancy pay

• 163.   Payment to beneficiary and complaint against non-payment

• 164.   Special provisions for hospitality and other seasonal employees

• 165.   Part-time employees

• 166.   Provision for pro rata payment

• 167.   Contesting of redundancy

• 168.   Interpretation

• 169.   General application

• 170.   Work in private residences

• 171.   Appointment of chief occupational safety and health officer and other officers

• 172.   Requirement for registration and pre-existing registration

• 173.   Application for registration and register

• 174.   Application for registration of change of particulars

• 175.   Chief occupational safety and health officer to monitor registered industrial establishment

• 176.   General powers of authorised officers

• 177.   Notice of discontinuance for work for young person

• 178.   Non-compliance with notice

• 179.   Orders

• 180.   Appeals from orders

• 181.   Prohibition on entering workplace after order

• 182.   Notice of compliance

• 183.   Injunction

• 184.   Establishment of advisory council

• 185.   Establishment of technical committees

• 186.   Appointment of medical inspectors

• 187.   Duties and powers of medical inspectors

• 188.   Periodic report of medical inspectors

• 189.   Appointment of technical examiners

• 190.   Selection of safety and health representatives

• 191.   Functions and powers of safety and health representatives

• 192.   Establishment of joint workplace safety and health committees

• 193.   Composition and selection of committee

• 194.   Functions and powers of committee

• 195.   Entitlement to be present

• 196.   Response by employers

• 197.   Minutes of proceedings

• 198.   Inspection of workplace

• 199.   Names of members of a committee to be posted

• 200.   Meetings of committees

• 201.   Committees of a like nature

• 202.   Consultation with committees on hygiene

• 203.   Request for national insurance data

• 204.   Representation during inspections

• 205.   Obstruction of authorised officers and safety and health representatives

• 206.   Confidential information

• 207.   Copies and reports

• 208.   Immunity

• 209.   General register

• 210.   Guarding of machinery

• 211.   Cleaning and repair of machinery

• 212.   Marking of safe working load

• 213.   Notice of assessment of risk

• 214.   Prohibition of children in an industrial establishment

• 215.   Construction and sale of new machinery

• 216.   Instructions on use of machines

• 217.   Protective clothing and devices

• 218.   Contravention of safety

• 219.   Drinking water

• 220.   Meals and lunchrooms

• 221.   Changing facilities

• 222.   Dangerous fumes, dust or other impurities

• 223.   Cleanliness

• 224.   Disposal of wastes

• 225.   Sufficient lighting

• 226.   Noise

• 227.   Overcrowding

• 228.   Ventilation

• 229.   Sanitary and washing facilities

• 230.   First aid

• 231.   Medical examinations

• 232.   Minister to make regulations for medical supervision

• 233.   Certification for fire safety

• 234.   Alternations after certification for fire safety

• 235.   Safety provisions in case of fire

• 236.   Prohibition of certain chemicals and appeals against prohibition orders

• 238.   Inventory of chemicals and physical agents

• 239.   Labelling of chemicals

• 240.   Copy of inventory to be made available

• 241.   Assessment of chemicals

• 242.   Information from manufacturers

• 243.   Participation in training

• 244.   Exemptions from disclosure

• 245.   Meaning of employer

• 246.   Requirement to give notice of accidents

• 247.   Notification of occupational diseases and other diseases

• 248.   Inquest in case of death

• 249.   Application to the state

• 250.   Notification of other accidents

• 251.   Power of minister to make regulations

• 252.   Presumption of employment

• 253.   Offences

• 254.   Special rules for making complaints

• 255.   Power of the department of labour to require returns

• 256.   Duties of employers at construction sites

• 257.   General duties of employers

• 258.   Duty to pregnant workers

• 259.   Reports and records

• 260.   Duties of employees

• 261.   Duties of owners at construction sites

• 262.   Duties of suppliers

• 263.   Refusal to work on safety and health grounds

• 264.   Complaint for reckless or frivolous refusal to work

• 265.   Threats and discrimination for compliance

• 266.   Interpretation

• 267.   Definition and prohibIted grounds of discrimination

• 268.   Prohibition on discrimination against applicant and employees

• 269.   Exceptions in respect of bona fide occupational qualifications

• 270.   Equal remuneration

• 271.   Temporary measures to promote equality

• 272.   Sexual harassment

• 273.   Particular profession or trade

• 274.   Burden of proof for section 273

• 275.   Qualifying bodies

• 276.   Vocational training bodies

• 277.   Employment agencies

• 278.   Discrimination by subterfuge

• 279.   Advertisement

• 280.   Application forms

• 281.   Mechanism to determine work of equal value

• 282.   Exception for charities

• 283.   Exception for religious bodies

• 284.   Interpretation

• 285.   Prohibition against discrimination on grounds of pregnancy

• 286.   Marital status

• 287.   Rights of pregnant employees

• 288.   Duration of maternity leave

• 289.   Maternity leave without pay

• 290.   Exercise of right of return

• 291.   Postponement of return

• 292.   Higher maternity benefits

• 293.   Record of female employees

• 294.   Maternity leave in addition to vacAtion leave and sick leave

• 295.   Remedies in relation to maternity leave entitlement

• 296.   Burden of proof

• 297.   Inducements and threats

• 298.   Victimization

• 299.   Burden of proof in respect of discrimination cases

• 300.   Burden of proof exceptions

• 301.   Remedies

• 302.   Direct complaint to the tribunal

• 303.   Interpretation and application

• 304.   Restriction on recruitment of children and young persons

• 305.   Licensing of employment

• 306.   Application for employment agent's licence

• 307.   Issuance of employment agent's licence

• 308.   Revocation or suspension of employment agent's licence

• 309.   Appeal against revocation or suspension

• 310.   Demand for production of licence

• 311.   Offence of failure to produce licence

• 312.   False representation

• 313.   Investigation of conditions of recruiters

• 314.   Report on conditions of recruiters

• 315.   Power to make regulations

• 316.   Interpretation

• 317.   Control of employment

• 318.   Application for and grant of work permit

• 319.   Appointment of authorised persons

• 320.   Production of work permit

• 321.   Minister to vary or cancel work permit

• 322.   Power to grant exemptions

• 323.   Offences and penalties

• 324.   Interpretation

• 325.   Non-application

• 326.   Basic employee rights

• 327.   Protection against discrimination and threats

• 328.   Protection of trade union from employer interference

• 329.   Basic employer rights

• 330.   Interference with individual's freedom of association

• 331.   Membership of trade unions and employers' organizations

• 332.   Federations

• 333.   Remedies

• 334.   Registrar

• 335.   Registration

• 336.   Disqualification from office

• 337.   Objection to registration

• 338.   Existing registration

• 339.   Fees

• 340.   Constitution

• 341.   Alterations in constitution or name

• 342.   Annual return to registrar

• 343.   Suspension and cancellation of registration

• 344.   Appeals for refusal to register

• 345.   Defunct organization

• 346.   Legal status, immunity from civil suits and restraint of trade

• 347.   Amalgamation

• 348.   Compliance with constitution

• 349.   Powers of discipline and expulsion

• 350.   Improper election practices

• 351.   Deposit and safeguard of funds

• 352.   Accounting

• 353.   Offences

• 354.   Provision for review

• 355.   Non-application

• 356.   Interpretation

• 357.   Application procedures

• 358.   Certification particulars

• 359.   Appropriateness of bargaining unit

• 360.   Employer's recognition

• 361.   Certification following employer recognition and refusal to recognize where one trade union applies

• 362.   Certification by poll majority

• 363.   Employer duties in conduct of poll

• 364.   Penalty for breach to section 363

• 365.   Restrictions in conduct of poll

• 366.   Employee duties in conduct of poll

• 367.   Grant or refusal of certification

• 368.   Effect of certification and compulsory recognition and duty to negotiate in good faith

• 369.   Closing or restructuring of undertaking

• 370.   New collective agreement

• 371.   Revocation of exclusive barganining rights

• 372.   Right to appeal

• 373.   Right to choose representative

• 374.   Access to employer's premises

• 375.   Appropriate time for trade union representatives

• 376.   Offence of refusing to meet to bargain in good faith

• 377.   Meaning of “to bargain collectively”

• 378.   Collective agreements

• 379.   Enforceability of collective agreements

• 380.   Successor rights and obligations

• 381.   Regulations

• 382.   Non-application

• 383.   Freedom to engage in industrial action

• 384.   Peaceful picketing

• 385.   Effect of strike on contract of employment

• 386.   Employee not entitled to remuneration during strike

• 387.   Trade disputes to be reported to labour commissioner

• 388.   Referral of trade dispute to the tribunal with consent

• 389.   Conciliation procedures to be exhausted

• 390.   Minister to attempt mediation

• 391.   Dispute procedure

• 392.   Prohibition of lockouts, strikes and industrial action

• 393.   Employer to post copy of section on premises

• 394.   Endangering life and property

• 395.   Permission from attorney general for prosecutions

• 396.   Duty of minister to take measures for the preservation of essential services

• 397.   Services declared to be essential services

• 398.   Minimum service in some sectors

• 399.   Power of minister to make regulations

• 400.   Department of labour

• 401.   Officers of the department of labour and appointment

• 402.   Responsibilities of the labour commissioner

• 403.   Power of labour commissioner to institute proceedings

• 404.   Proceedings instituted by labour commissioner upon complaint

• 405.   Labour commissioner to hold informal inquiries

• 406.   Power of the labour commissioner to summon witnesses

• 407.   Powers of labour officers

• 408.   Immunity of labour officers

• 409.   Duty of confidentiality

• 410.   Individual complaints

• 411.   Individual disputes

• 412.   Procedure for individual disputes by labour commissioner

• 413.   Evidence and arguments

• 414.   Witnesses and documents

• 415.   Time limit for determination

• 416.   Time limit for a review

• 417.   Decision of labour commissioner to be final and binding

• 418.   Impartiality of labour commissioner

• 419.   Powers of labour commissioner to recommend remedies

• 420.   Recommended remedy

• 421.   Refusal to abide by decision

• 422.   Obstruction of labour commissioner's hearing

• 423.   Interpretation of decisions

• 424.   Establishment of labour tribunal

• 425.   Composition of tribunal

• 426.   Sittings of tribunal

• 427.   Remuneration of members

• 428.   Appointment of officers and committees

• 429.   Tribunal to regulate its own procedure

• 430.   Vacancies in the tribunal

• 431.   Powers of tribunal

• 432.   Power of the tribunal to hear matters ex parte

• 433.   Orders declaring rights and imposing duties

• 434.   Orders or awards of the tribunal for trade disputes

• 435.   Order may be retroactive

• 436.   Binding effect of orders on relevant persons

• 437.   Tribunal may sit in private

• 438.   Appearance of counsel and presentation of evidence

• 439.   Attendance of public or media

• 440.   Appointment of experts

• 441.   Failure to attend

• 443.   Award binding and not to conflict with this act

• 444.   Interpretation of decisions of the tribunal

• 445.   Publication of award

• 446.   Majority vote

• 447.   Decision to be in writing

• 448.   Decision not to be questioned

• 449.   Order of court

• 450.   Decision to be filed in court

• 451.   Regulations

• 452.   General offences against administration

• 453.   Obstructing, assaulting or threatening labour officers

• 454.   Penalty for disobedience of summons

• 455.   Complaint to court after internal remedies exhausted

• 456.   Time limits for proceedings and prosecutions

• 457.   Power of court to order contravention to be remedied

• 458.   Offences by corporate bodies

• 459.   Proceeding in tort and criminal proceedings

• 460.   Service and sending of documents

• 461.   General power of the minister to make regulations

• 462.   Repeal

• 463.   Savings

• 464.   Power to amend schedules

• 465.   General penalty

• 466.   Ticketable offences

• Schedule 1

• Schedule 2

• Schedule 3

• Schedule 4

• Schedule 5

• Schedule 6

• Schedule 7

• Schedule 8

• Schedule 9

• 32.   Overtime

• 31.   Meal intervals

• 98.   Existing rights to vacation saved

• 117.   Withholding payments

• 142.   Suspension with pay

• 148.   Lay-offs and suspensions

• 160.   Redundancy pay

• 237.   Notice for new chemicals or biological agents

• 442.   Awards

• Schedule 10