ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES
MOVING TO SAINT LUCIA Things you need to know
Map of Saint Lucia
OECS Headquarters Morne Fortune Castries
What you need to know
AIR TRAVEL Air travel provided on first passage for employee and family members under the age of 18 and spouse (common law included)
PERSONAL EFFECTS Shipment of personal effects of employee and dependents up to a max. of a 20ft container plus a vehicle.
SETTLEMENT GRANT Settlement grant of one (1) month base salary will be paid upon arrival.
HOUSING Housing for the first month at the expense of the Commission is available, however, should the employee decide to take this option, the employee forfeits that month’s housing allowance.
DUTY FREE CONCESSIONS All professional staff at MPP1 and above are entitled to duty free concessions on a vehicle during the first 6 months of employment (after a 3-month probationary period); MPP5 and above are entitled every 4 years).
PROBATIONARY PERIOD There is a mandatory probation period of 3 months for all employees.
What you need to know (cont'd)
TRANSPORTATION Transportation will be provided from the airport to place of residence upon arrival into Saint Lucia. For the first month, employees will be transported to and from work and where possible may be provided with transportation to the supermarket/bank, etc.
NATIONAL INSURANCE All non-nationals are required to obtain an NIC number which should be submitted to HR upon receipt.
DRIVER'S LICENSE OECS nationals only require a valid national license, while non-OECS nationals require a Saint Lucian driver’s licence to drive on the island.
ORIENTATION During your first few days you will be required to attend an orientation session.
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS For seamless transitioning, there are a few important items/documents one should have before leaving country of origin: At least 5 passport size photographs Birth Certificates Marriage Certificate Referral letter from home bank Referral letters from schools
What you need to know (cont'd)
CURRENCY In Saint Lucia, business is usually conducted in XCD and USD. The exchange rate is fixed at USD 1 = XCD 2.7169.
VOLTAGE Saint Lucia has 220 volt electricity. The cycles (Hz) are 50 per second.
LANGUAGE The local languages used are English and French Creole.
LOCAL TAX The VAT Rate (2018) in Saint Lucia is 12.5% and is charged on sale of taxable goods and services.
COST OF LIVING The cost of living index in Saint Lucia is 149.
PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES All staff are granted diplomatic immunities and privileges in keeping with international protocols for employees of an international organisation.
What you need to know (cont'd)
WORK PERMITS / CARICOM CERTIFICATES Non-OECS staff, and their spouses who wish to work in Saint Lucia, would need to apply for a work permit or a CARICOM Skills Certificate. Applicants must provide a completed application form along with the original and a copy of the following documents: Passport (copy of the bio page) Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate Police Certificate of Character from country of birth Police Certificate of Character from host country (if residing for more than 6 months) Proof of Qualification 2 Passport-sized photographs Work Permits and CSME Certificates can be obtained from: Department of External Affairs Baywalk Mall Rodney Bay Gros Islet 758 468 4519
Public Holidays 2018
NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 January
NEW YEAR HOLIDAY
2 January
INDEPENDENCE GOOD FRIDAY
22 February 30 March
EASTER MONDAY
2 April
LABOUR DAY
1 May
WHIT MONDAY
21 May
CORPUS CHRISTI
31 May
EMANCIPATION DAY
1 August
THANKSGIVING
1 October
NATIONAL DAY
13 December
CHRISTMAS DAY
25 December
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
26 December
Essential Services
SAINT LUCIA POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Tel#: (758) 456 3712
SAINT LUCIA FIRE & AMBULANCE SERVICE
Tel#: (758) 451 7667
CALL 911 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
Other numbers to note: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Tel#: (758) 468 5202 Tel#: (758) 468 5207 Tel#: (758) 468 5208 Tel#: (758) 451 6725
SAINT LUCIA ELECTRICITY SERVICES LTD
Tel#: (758) 457 4400
SAINT LUCIA WATER AND SEWERAGE CO.
Tel#: (758) 457 3900
SAINT LUCIA SOCIAL SECURITY
Tel#: (758) 452 2808
DOMINICA RED CROSS
Tel#: (758) 452 5582
FLOW
Tel#: (758) 453 9000
DIGICEL
Tel#: (758) 453 2999
Supermarkets & Pharmacies
Massy Stores has a number of supermarkets located all over the island. In the north there are: MASSY SUPERMARKET - RODNEY HEIGHTS MASSY SUPERMARKET - J.Q. MALL MASSY SUPERMARKET - BAYWALK MALL MASSY SUPERMARKET - GABLEWOODS MALL MASSY SUPERMARKET - WATERFRONT OR BOULEVARD MASSY SUPERMARKET - CUL DE SAC
Most of these supermarkets have in-house pharmacies and have flexible opening hours (every day) There are also M & C Drugstore outlets in the City Centre, Baywalk Mall and Gablewoods Mall.
Banking Services
There are a number of banks located all over the island. BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA Tel#: 758 456 2100
FIRST CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK (CIBC) Tel#: 758 456 2422
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA Tel#: 758 456 9200
BANK OF SAINT LUCIA Tel#: 758 456 6000
1ST NATIONAL BANK Tel#: 758 455 7000
Need Housing?
The Commission has a number of reputable Agents that you may want to contact regarding suitable housing: LYDIA OCTAVE-GEORGE
Tel#: (758) 484 1226
loctavegeorge@yahoo.com
RONALD RAOUL
Tel#: (758) 728 0217
AZARIAH Realty info@azariahrealty.com | ronald.raoul@yahoo.com
KATE LARCHER
Tel#: (758) 284 1372
Rockcake Estate info@rockcakerealestate.com
ANGAD SINGH
Tel#: (758) 719 2432
angadmsingh@gmail.com
WILBERTHA KING Blue Reef Real Estate info@bluereefrealestate.com
Tel#: (758) 452 8941 Tel#: (758) 285 2001
Taxi Services
There are several reputable taxi companies on Saint Lucia:
MATTHEW’S TOURING SERVICE
Tel#: (758) 718 4376
JOSEPH MITCHELL TAXI
Tel#: (758) 584 6402
ST. LUCIAN TAXI AND TOURS
Tel#: (758) 713 0041
Vehicle Rentals
In the event you wish to explore the island during your free time, there are vehicle rental services available. LUXURY CAR RENTAL
Tel#: (758) 450 4192
Rodney Bay, Gros Islet
HERTZ CAR RENTAL
Tel#: (758) 452 0680
John Compton Highway, Castries
AVIS RENT-A-CAR SERVICES
Tel#: (758) 452 2700
Choc, Castries
OPERATIVE CAR RENTAL Corinth, Gros Islet
Tel#: (758) 450 9272
Prayers & Worship
There are numerous churches of varying denominations all over the island, the main ones being: ROMAN CATHOLIC City Centre, Micoud Street
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST L'Anse Road, Castries
ANGLICAN Trinity Church Road, Castries
BETHEL TABERNACLE Sans Souci, Castries
FIRST BAPTIST Sans Souci, Castries
PENTECOSTAL Bocage, Castries
Things to do for FUN
SEE ST. LUCIA TOPLESS (MINI COOPER ROAD TRIP)
Tel# (758) 452 5222
Rodney Bay, Gros Islet
RAINFOREST ADVENTURES
Tel#: (758) 458 5151
Bobonneau
TREETOP ADVENTURE PARK
Tel#: (758) 724 7256
Dennery
ISLAND BUGGIES
Tel#: (758) 425 0808
Gros Islet
AANANSI ATV Fond Assau
Tel#: (758) 716 3757
Medical Services
Castries
Tel#: (758) 459 2699 Tel#: (758) 459 2617
VICTORIA HOSPITAL
Tel#: (758) 453-7059
TAPION HOSPITAL
Castries
Gros Islet
Tel#: (758) 450 9661 Tel#: (758) 450 9696
EM CARE
Tel#: (758) 451-6155
GROS ISLET POLYCLINIC
Mongiraud
M CARE CLINIC Rodney Heights
Tel#: (758) 453-2552 Tel#: (758) 452-9032
Contact the HR Unit: Zena Jules: (758) 455 6322 Eurisca Chandler: (758) 455 6323 Gale Jean Baptiste: (758) 455 6362