Barbados PEO Services

Barbados has transformed from an agricultural into a diversified economy built on offshore banking, services, light industry, tourism, and sugar that generate one of the highest per capita incomes in the Caribbean. The island nation has a ‘high quality of life’ for a developing country. The process for setting up a business has been made simpler and, the regulatory environment is relatively transparent and straightforward.

Capital City

Bridgetown

Currency

Barbados Dollar (BBD)

Principal Language

English, Bajan dialect

Government

Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy

Other Major Cities

Saint Michael, Speightstown, Oistins, Bathsheba, Holetown

The regular work schedule comprises 40 hours in 5 days. Employees are entitled to at least 15 days’ paid holiday and are covered by national insurance legislation and unemployment benefits legislation.

National Insurance

All employees (over 16 years of age and under pensionable age) should be insured under the National Insurance and Social Security Act, Cap. 47. Employers are required to obtain employees’ National Insurance Card to verify and enter the National Insurance number in their records except in cases where other arrangements have been made with National Insurance Board’s approval. If the employer does not obtain the National Insurance number from the employee within 7 days of employment, it must be obtained from the National Insurance Office within the next 7 days.

Unemployment Insurance

The coverage is provided to employees aged between 16 and 64 years. However, self-employed persons and permanent government employees are not required to make contributions toward the scheme. To qualify for unemployment benefit from the National Insurance Scheme:

• An individual must be insured for at least 32 weeks
• Have made at least 20 contributions in 3 consecutive quarters (the last one or one before that in which the individual became unemployed)

Once the claim period starts, a person cannot reclaim until a period of 52 weeks has passed. To claim for unemployment insurance, a person is required to register at the National Employment Bureau, complete a claim form, and report to the Unemployment Section every 2 weeks after qualification. If the person is unemployed for 3 weeks or less, funds are not paid for the first 3 days. The unemployment benefit is paid at the daily rate of 60% of an individual’s average insurable earnings for 6 days a week (excluding Sundays) for a maximum 26 weeks subject to an individual remaining unemployed.

Old-age Benefit

Old-age pension (social insurance): For the insured aged 56 years or more on December 31, 2002 (Old Basis Pension Calculation) – 40% of average annual insurable earnings and an additional 1% of earnings is paid for contributions exceeding 500 weeks.

For the insured aged 47 years or less on December 31, 2002 (New Basis Pension Calculation) – 2% of average annual insurable earnings for the first 20 years’ contributions and an additional 1.25% of earnings is paid for each year exceeding 20 years.

For the insured aged 47 to 55 years on December 31, 2002 – 50% of the pension is based on the Old Basis Pension Calculation and 50% on the New Basis Pension Calculation.

• The maximum weekly earnings used to calculate benefits – B$1,006
• The maximum monthly earnings – B$4,360
• The minimum weekly pension – B$179
• The maximum pension is 60% of average annual insurable earnings.
• Benefits are adjusted each year according to changes in the cost of living.

Old-age grant (social insurance): A lump sum equal to 6 weeks of average annual insurable earnings is paid for every 50 weeks of paid contributions.

Noncontributory old-age pension: The minimum weekly pension is B$145.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted every year according to changes in the cost of living.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Disability pension (social insurance) equal to 40% of average annual insurable earnings and an additional 1% of total earnings is used to calculate contributions if paid contributions exceed 500 weeks.

For 100% disability – 90% of the average annual insurable earnings is paid.

The degree of disability is assessed by the insured’s doctor, which may be reviewed by National Insurance Office doctors.

Constant-attendance supplement equal to 50% of the permanent disability pension is provided if the insured needs the constant attendance of others to carry out daily functions.

Partial disability: A percentage of the full pension is provided based on the assessed degree of disability and a lump sum is given if the degree of disability is less than 30%.

Survivor Benefits

Spouse’s pension equal to 50% of the old-age pension or disability pension the deceased was receiving until death or was entitled to receive is paid to a widow/widower (aged 50 years or more) who was married to the deceased for a minimum 3 years. No age limit applies if the widow/widower is disabled. A limited pension is paid to a widow/widower (aged less than 50 years) for 12 months. The survivor pension stops on cohabitation or remarriage.

Orphan’s pension equal to 16.67% of the old-age or disability pension the deceased was receiving until death or was entitled to receive is paid to each child aged less than 16 years (aged 25 years if a student).

• 3% if disabled or a full orphan.

Funeral grant equal to a lump sum of B$1,995 is given to the person who incurs the funeral expenses.

Sickness and Maternity Benefits equal to 66.67% of the employee’s weekly insurable earnings is paid after 3 days (waiting period) for a maximum 26 weeks. The period can be extended for an extra 26 weeks if the employee has made 150 weeks’ paid contributions including 75 weeks’ contributions in the last 3 years before the incapacity began. The waiting period does not apply if the incapacity lasts for at least 14 days.

Unemployment Benefits equal to 60% of the employee’s weekly insurable earnings is paid after 3 days (waiting period) for a maximum 26 weeks in any 52-week period. The waiting period does not apply if the individual is unemployed for a minimum 21 days.