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Payroll and Benefits Guide Jamaica

Last updated: May 09, 2023

Currency
Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
Employer Taxes
12.50%
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
Employee Costs
7.25%
Capital
Kingston
Date Format
dd/mm/yyyy
Fiscal Year
1 April - 31 March

Contributions

Employer

Employer Payroll Contributions

12.50% Total Employment Cost
3.00% National Insurance Scheme (NIS) (on maximum renumeration of 5 million JMD per year)
3.00% National Housing Trust (NHT)
3.50% Education Tax
3.00% Human Employment & Resources Training (HEART)

Employee

Employee Payroll Contributions

7.25% Total Employee Cost
3.00% National Insurance Scheme (NIS) (on maximum remuneration of 5 million JMD per year)
2.00% National Housing Trust (NHT)
2.25% Education Tax

Employee

Employee Income Tax

0.00% Up to 1,500,096 JMD
25.00% 1,500,096 JMD to 6,000,000 JMD (applicable Jamaican residents)
30.00% Above 6,000,000 JMD

Employer taxes

Highest
Lowest

Employee taxes

Highest
Lowest

Minimum Wage

General

The weekly minimum wage in Jamaica is 13,000 JMD, (based on a 40 hour week).

MINIMUM WAGE (PER MONTH)

Highest
Lowest

Payroll

Payroll Cycle

Salaries are paid on either a monthly or semi-monthly basis.

13th Salary

There is no statutory requirement for a 13th-month salary in Jamacia. 

Working Hours

General

Full-time employment is considered 40 hours weekly and is generally eight hours per day.
Seven days a week including Sunday, are now considered working days in Jamaica, with work shifts up to 12 hours in 24 hours.

Overtime

Overtime is defined as work exceeding 40 weekly hours, work on a rest day, or work on a holiday.
All work above 40 weekly hours must be paid at a rate of 150% salary. Work on Sundays and public holidays are paid at a rate of 200%.     

Working Week

Sunday-Saturday

Leave

Paid Time Off

Employees are granted two weeks of paid leave per year. Three weeks of paid leave are given to employees with over ten years of continuous service.  

Vacation Days
Public Holidays
Highest
Lowest

Public Holidays

The government decides each year if public holidays falling on a weekend will be moved to a working day in lieu.

Sick Days

Employees are granted two weeks (10 working days) of paid leave per year. Three weeks (15 working days) of paid leave is given to employees with over ten years of continuous service.

Maternity Leave

Pregnant employees are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave once one year of service has been completed.
The maternity pay is paid for a period of eight weeks at the regular salary rate.

PAID MATERNITY LEAVE (DAYS)

Highest
Lowest

Paternity Leave

There is no statutory requirement for paternity leave in Jamaica.

Parental Leave

There is no statutory requirement for parental leave in Jamaica.

Other Leave

There is no other statutory leave in Jamaica.

Termination

Termination Process

Employers can terminate a fix term contract by giving the following reasons – business, personal, or worker’s misconduct. It requires notice and a written explanation for the termination. If the reason is misconduct, a warning needs to be given and the employee gets a chance to explain actions.

Notice Period

The minimum amount of working notice or termination pay in lieu of notice required under Section 63 is determined by the length of employment as follows:

  • Up to 5 years of employment entitles workers to 2 weeks’ notice
  • 5-10 years of service entitles workers to four weeks’ notice
  • 10-15 years of service entitles workers to 6 weeks’ notice
  • 15-20 years of service workers to 8 weeks’ notice
  • 20 + years of service workers to 12 weeks’ notice

Severance Pay

Severance pay is only required for cases of redundancy. Severance pay for redundancy is calculated at two weeks’ pay per year for the first ten years of service and after that, increases to three weeks’ pay per year.

Probation Period

There is no statutory requirement for a probationary period in Jamacia. However, collective agreements generally stipulate a 3 to 6-month probation period.

VISA

VISA

Persons seeking to obtain a work permit are required to apply to the Work Permit Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) through their prospective employer, contractor, or legal representative.
Employers submitting work permit applications on behalf of prospective employees are required to submit a cover letter to the permanent secretary of the MLSS, outlining:

  • The reasons for the application
  • The duration of the work being undertaken
  • Any efforts to recruit local persons to carry out the work stipulated

Applications for work permits on behalf of self-employed persons must also be submitted with a cover letter outlining:

  • The nature and duration of the work stipulated
  • Certified copies of the credentials of the applicant
  • Two (2) passport photographs
  • The individual’s resume
  • The individual’s police record

A non-refundable processing fee of 14,400 JMD must be submitted with the application. If the MLSS approves the grant, the applicant must pay a work permit fee before the permit can be issued.
The duration of  work permit fees (JMD) are as follows:
Up to 3 months  -      27,000 JMD
3 – 6 months  - 54,000 JMD
6 – 9 months  - 81,000 JMD
9 – 12 months   -1 08,000 JMD
The turnaround time for the approval of a work permit is approximately 4 – 6 weeks.

VAT

General

The standard rate of GCT in Jamacia is 15.00%.

 

Stay up to date on payroll & employment law changes

Version History

May 3, 2022
The weekly minimum wage in Jamaica is now 9,000 JMD per week and 10,500 JMD per week for security guards (based on a 40-hour working week).
Payroll contributions and personal income tax rates have been updated.
April 1, 2020
National Insurance Scheme (NIS) increased from 2.75% to 3.00%
More

Questions & Answers

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Shane
Shane
2 years ago

Do you get paid for unused vacation days if u resign?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Shane

Hi Shane, thank you for your question. This is correct, upon termination, unused vacation days should be paid out.

Naji
Naji
2 years ago
Reply to  Emily Kuhnert

Good Morning, How is this calculated?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Naji

Hi, this is calculated based on the daily pay rate multiplied by the number of unused vacation days.

Naji
Naji
2 years ago
Reply to  Emily Kuhnert

Thank you. Is this overall of within the current year? Like I’ve worked with a company 1 yr and 6 months bit never taken my vacation days..

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Naji

This would depend on your company’s policy on rollover vacation days from the previous year. I would suggest reaching out to your HR team to find out how many days of paid leave you have acrued.

shanquille
shanquille
2 years ago

how long do you have to be working to be granted sick days pay?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  shanquille

Hi Shanquille, new employees are eligible for sick leave after 110 days of employment. Hope this helps!

shanquille
shanquille
2 years ago
Reply to  Erez Greenberg

THANK YOU

Nikki
Nikki
2 years ago
Reply to  Erez Greenberg

Which month if the year does sick leave becomes eligible?
The first seven days of the year is eligible for sick leave?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Nikki

Hi Nikki, eligibility depends on the length of employment and not the month. An employee becomes eligible for sick leave after 110 days of employment.

Toni-Ann
Toni-Ann
2 years ago

what should I do if I got terminated and I haven’t got paid up

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Toni-Ann

Hi, There are multiple factors involved, so I suggest visiting the Jamaican Government “Employment (Termination and Redundancy) Act” for guidance specific to your situation. https://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Employment%20%28Termination%2C%20etc.%29%20Act.pdf

Jody-Ann Slue
Jody-Ann Slue
2 years ago

Should security officers get paid for contract breaks they didn’t get when they resign

Alex Margolin
Alex Margolin
2 years ago
Reply to  Jody-Ann Slue

Thank you for your question. The best way to approach this matter is by contacting a contract lawyer to examine the specific details of the contract. Circumstances may vary on a case-by-case basis.

Tahnee prince
Tahnee prince
2 years ago

If your working for 3 years are u eligible for sick leave?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Tahnee prince

Yes, you become eligible for sick leave after 110 days of employment.

James
James
2 years ago

If I resign my job after being with the company for over 10 years, how will my employer calculate my final pay which should also include my vacation days.

Alex Margolin
Alex Margolin
2 years ago
Reply to  James

In general, employees earn three weeks of vacation after 10 years of service. If there are unused vacation days earned by the employee, they should be compensated at the regular rate of pay to the employee at the time.

Tweetchi
Tweetchi
2 years ago

When the year restarts given that you have passed the 110days of employment are you given 10sick days at the start of the year?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Tweetchi

If an employee has worked for 110 days, but less than 220 days, they earn 1 day of sick leave for every 22 days worked. Once they have worked for 220 days, they receive their full two weeks of sick leave.

Shantel
Shantel
2 years ago

I wana know I have been working ina whole sale for 1yr 8 months is it possible for me to get a leave

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Shantel

Hi Shantal, thank you for your question. It depends on the number of days you have worked. If you have worked between 110-220 days, you earn 1 day of vacation for every 22 days worked. Once you have worked at least 220 days in a year, you are entitled to the full allotment of vacation leave.

Phillip.
Phillip.
2 years ago

Is an employer allowed to lower your pay without notice? My pay structure got lower and I’m just finding out a month later.

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Phillip.

Hi Phillip, thank you for your question. In general, this usually needs to be mutually agreed upon between you and your employer, however, there are other factors involved as well.

Andrew
Andrew
2 years ago

Hello…If i work seven consecutive days or more should i get double from the seventh day onwards?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

Jamaica has flexi-work so it depends on your arrangement with your employer. Also, overtime pay is determined by the number of hours worked in a week and not the number of days, so overtime is only paid if you have worked more than 40 hours in a week.

Rupert Daley
Rupert Daley
2 years ago

Just so I understand clearly, After an employee has work for 110 days in the first instance, will he/she be entitled to the full 10 days sick leave right away? or the employee will need to earn on a pro-rated basis there-on in? There is some ambiguity here, please clarify.

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Rupert Daley

Hi Rupert, the law states that after 110 days of employment, a worker is entitled to sick leave with pay for the first 10 days of illness. The law is quite vague in that it doesn’t address how sick leave is accrued other than the aforementioned.

Rupert Daley
Rupert Daley
2 years ago
Reply to  Emily Kuhnert

Ok, thanks Emily. You and team are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.

Shanice Smith
Shanice Smith
2 years ago

Hi,
Are hourly paid employees entitled to get paid for public holidays if they do not work?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Shanice Smith

In general, an employer is only required to pay hourly employees for the time they actually worked.

Shanice Smith
Shanice Smith
2 years ago
Reply to  Erez Greenberg

Thanks much! One last question regarding Salaried persons and public holidays, I recall that once you would have been scheduled to work on the day the holidays falls on then you should be paid for the day, in the event an employee had a let’s say a SL filed for that day but doesn’t have any sick days would they still be paid given that it’s a holiday or no? Hope this isn’t confusing, thanks in advance!

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Shanice Smith

If it’s a salaried employee and it’s a non-working public holiday, then it’s irrelevant since they have a set monthly salary. If it’s a working public holiday, then the employee must work — taking sick leave with no sick leave days typically requires a doctor’s note or, it will come out of the employee’s salary. Getting paid for public holidays can also be contract or employer-specific, so it’s best to speak with either HR or a manager.

Maria
Maria
2 years ago

Hi, what´s the % the employer pays for social security?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Maria

Hi Maria, in Jamaica, social security is referred to as “National Insurance Scheme” and the employer contribution is 3.00%. Please see the above employer payroll taxes for more information.

Rupert Daley
Rupert Daley
2 years ago

Does the YTD on a payslip include current earnings for a pay period?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Rupert Daley

Hi Rupert, YTD on the payslip includes everything for the entire year to current, so it indeed does show your current total earnings for the entire year. The quickest way to check this is to go back and look at all of your payslips and calculate your totals.

Rupert Daley
Rupert Daley
2 years ago
Reply to  Emily Kuhnert

Thanks Emily

nev
nev
2 years ago

am i eligible for paid maternity after 3yrs of fulltime work then agreed partime for less than a year?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  nev

Hi Nev, you should be entitled to maternity leave if you’ve been continuously employed with the same employer, even if you’ve started working part time.

Tasha
Tasha
2 years ago

I have been employed for over a year, how many days off am I entitled for?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Tasha

Hi Tasha, thank you for your question. If you’ve been employed full-time, you are entitled to 2 weeks of paid leave. You can find out more information under the “Leave” section.

Marsha
Marsha
2 years ago

Thanks for this. A few questions:
1. What determines whether someone is an hourly employee or weekly one? For example are you an hourly employee not due holiday pay if you work 40 hrs/ week, or are you a weekly employee due holiday pay?
2. What are the laws around payment for live- In workers who take care of the sick and of children?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Marsha

Hi Marsha, to answer your first question, whether you are deemed hourly or weekly employee would be something that is determined in your employment contract. Regarding your second question, this is out of the scope of what we can offer information for.

Melia
Melia
2 years ago

Hi, I have worked 3 years and i decided to resign in march…..would i be entitled to vacation pay or sick leave?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
2 years ago
Reply to  Melia

Hi, it depends on your written contract regarding time off, but you should be entitled to vacation pay but not necessarily sick leave pay.

Shantel
Shantel
2 years ago

Hi good day. I have worked at a contact center for the last 2 years and 6 mths. I gave adequate notice before resigning recently, more than two weeks. Just wanted to Know if I’m only to be paid for vacation days I had that were not used. Seeing that I resigned early this year I just wanted an idea of what I’m to be paid.

Alex Margolin
Alex Margolin
2 years ago
Reply to  Shantel

Hi. Upon termination of employment, unused vacation days should be compensated. Your contract should stipulate how many days can be carried over from year to year.

Kay
Kay
2 years ago

Do I have to be working a certain amount of days to get holiday with pay? Can you explain who is a casual/temporary worker?

Alex Margolin
Alex Margolin
2 years ago
Reply to  Kay

In order to qualify for paid time off, you have to work at least 110 days. If you work between 110 days and 220 days, you receive one vacation day for every 22 days worked. After you work for 220 days, you receive your full allotment of 2 weeks of paid time off.

A casual worker is one who is not formally employed as a permanent employee by the company but rather hired short-term for a specific task and usually paid by the hour rather than monthly.

Kay
Kay
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex Margolin

What if I was on a 6month work programme but was asked to continue working. Would the 110/220 days be in the 6months? Or does it start after the 6months?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  Kay

Hi Kay, stepping in for Alex. This would start from the first day of initial employment, not from after the 6 months.

akeem
akeem
2 years ago

if am fired how much should my company pay me for working 5 years

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
2 years ago
Reply to  akeem

Hey Akeem, unless stated otherwise in your contract, you are not entitled to severance pay. The only thing that you are paid out for is your unused vacation days.

Naketa
Naketa
1 year ago
Reply to  Emily Kuhnert

What if the employee walked off the job without notice to the employer leaving the business unma6. Does the employee still get vacation leave.

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
1 year ago
Reply to  Naketa

They are still entitled to their leave.

Mistress
Mistress
1 year ago

Hi,
i started at a new job August 16, and i got paid at the end of August for two weeks.
then in september i got my september salary. then in october my salary was over the amount that i signed up for so i called payroll and they are saying that they’ll recover it but when i look at my payslip i do not understand it. it has total earnings which consist of my gross pay with regular pay then the deductions. i honestly just do not understand

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
1 year ago
Reply to  Mistress

Hi Mistress, thank you for your question. This is not something that we are able to advise you on as we don’t have all of the necessary information to do so. I recommend that you reach out to your HR team or the person that runs your payroll to understand your payslip.

jaydee
jaydee
1 year ago

Hi
I started working on November 4 and today which is only 2 days of work.
My boss did not explain to me in the interview about probation nor the salary of the job until today saying I’m on 3 months probation until they can decide whether or not to put me on the payroll.
Now I understand that part but I want to know if I’m supposed to get paid during those 3 months of probation until the 3 months are up and they decide to pay me the full amount like experienced employees?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
1 year ago
Reply to  jaydee

Hi Jaydee, thank you for your question. During your probation period, you should be paid a monthly salary, it is not unpaid.

jaydee
jaydee
1 year ago
Reply to  Emily Kuhnert

So that means i should be paid at the end of each month or fortnight like the rest of employees?

Emily Kuhnert
Emily Kuhnert
1 year ago
Reply to  jaydee

Correct

garfield
garfield
1 year ago

do you get any benefits if resign after 5 years of your service to a company?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
1 year ago
Reply to  garfield

Severance pay is only required for cases of redundancy. Severance pay for redundancy is calculated at two weeks’ pay per year for the first ten years of service and, after that, increasing to three weeks´ pay per year.

Chris-Ann
Chris-Ann
1 year ago

If I’m only 6 months in my permanent position, am I entitled to maternity leave if I get pregnant at that 6 months stamp?

Erez Greenberg
Erez Greenberg
1 year ago
Reply to  Chris-Ann

Hi, Maternity leave is granted after being continuously employed for one year.

J.P.
J.P.
6 months ago

Is 2 weeks vacation in Jamaica 14 days ( sat-sun ) or 10 days (mon-fri) ?

Shush
Shush
5 months ago

I have been with a company for 12 years. I resigned and got my vaca pay however I saw that its less than what it should be when I checked they took all the taxes out of it. Can they do that?

Michael
Michael
4 months ago

Is there such a thing as grace period of 15 minutes to not be late for work in Jamaica

Ruth
Ruth
4 months ago

I have a Kindergarten School and staff are usually paid for the 3 months school is out on holidays. With the increase in minimun wage come June 01, I am in a quandry.

Shari
Shari
4 months ago

What does a contract worker entitled to after resignation

Monque
Monque
4 months ago

What is a domestic worker entitled to who has worked with the family for 12yrs but due to death of the Head of household the services are no longer required as there is no one left that needs the services? I am very confused

Shanice
Shanice
4 months ago

What should I do if my employer didn’t pay me

Nicole Lindsay
Nicole Lindsay
3 months ago

Good afternoon. If someone is engaged for 40 hours per week for approximately 5 months are they expected to pay statutory deductions?

Carlene
Carlene
1 month ago
Reply to  Enny Shmurin

Hi..I’m working as a helper/ nanny for eight months my boss said to me on the Monday of the work week that my service is no longer needed because of whatever reason but She will pay me for my two weeks notice pay..should I still work for that two weeks or should or is it that if I work I should still be getting paid for that two weeks along with my notice pay vacation pay and sick leave ? Thank you

Tashane
Tashane
3 months ago

If am employed for 4 years and 3 months and am being terminated, am I suppose yo expect any pay up for years of service? Or just unused vacation and 2 weeks notice pay?

Shaleon
Shaleon
2 months ago

My boss will be traveling overseas for two week and said I won’t be working for those two weeks am I entitled to be pay for those two weeks

Damario Smith
Damario Smith
1 month ago

Can a employer withhold your wage if they fire you before completing training

Andrea
Andrea
22 days ago

Is an employee entitled to serverance pay after 53 years of service.

Lasantia Hutchinson
Lasantia Hutchinson
21 days ago

Am I not entitle to get 2 weeks off after working at a company for 1 year?
And is it a case where I cant get it in the month that I started working?

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Payroll and Benefits Guide
in Jamaica

What’s covered in this guide:

  • Employer/employee contributions
  • Minimum wage
  • Working hours
  • Visa requirements

And more...

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Public Holidays Calendar

Jamaica 2023
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Day Date Holiday Notes
Sunday Jan-1 New Year’s Day
Monday Jan-2 New Year’s Day Holiday Day Off in Lieu
Wednesday Feb-22 Ash Wednesday
Friday Apr-7 Good Friday
Monday Apr-10 Easter Monday
Monday May-1 Labor Day
Tuesday Aug-1 Emancipation Day
Monday Aug-7 Independence Day
Monday Oct-16 National Heroes’ Day
Monday Dec-25 Christmas Day
Tuesday Dec-26 Boxing Day