The Business Barbados Fast Facts Guide

Several pieces of legislation are in place to govern labour relations including the Employment Rights Act, the Severance Payments Act and the Holidays With Pay Act. The National Insurance and Social Security Act provides medical assistance for employees in the event of illness, maternity leave and accidents. It also makes provision for unemployment, disability and pension benefits. For further information visit www.nis.gov.bb.

The labour movement is represented by four major unions. There have been few work stoppages in recent years, primarily due to the existence of good labour relations.

Barbados has twelve p aid public holidays. In addition, all workers have a statutory right to twelve weeks of maternity leave and three weeks of annual vacation with pay, which increases to four weeks after the fifth year of steady employment.

The 2019 Public Holidays

• New Year's Day - January 1

• Errol Barrow Day - January 21

• Good Friday – April 19

• Easter Monday – April 22

• National Heroes Day - April 28

• May Day – May 1

• Whit Monday – June 10

• Emancipation Day - August 1

• Kadooment Day – August 5

• Independence Day – November 30

• Christmas Day - December 25

• Boxing Day - December 26

SOCIAL SERVICES Education

The Barbados educational system is modeled after the British system and is considered to provide one of the highest standards of education in the English Caribbean. The educational system ranges from pre-school to university. School is compulsory up to age 16 and government schools are free at the primary and secondary levels. Educational institutions at the post secondary level include colleges, a university, vocational and technical training schools. There are also special schools for the mentally and physically disabled.

Health

Barbados is recognised as having the most modern medical facilities in the Eastern Caribbean. The life expectancy at birth is 72.75 years for males and 78.6 years for females. Medical services are provided by two major hospitals and several well-equipped clinics, health centres and nursing homes. The government-run 600 bed Queen Elizabeth Hospital provides several specialist services along with a 24-hour casualty service. The second major hospital, Bayview Hospital, is a private health facility that also provides a variety of medical services.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital - (246) 436-6450

BayView Hospital - (246) 436-5446

Sandy Crest Medical Center - (246) 419-4911

Island Care Ambulance - (246) 435-9425

The Economy

Barbados has a market-based economy with both the private and public sectors actively involved in determining the goods and services made available to consumers. The Barbadian economy has diversified over the last five decades, with emphasis shifting from agriculture towards the provision of services. The economy is driven primarily by the following sectors; tourism, business, financial and general services, agriculture and manufacturing.