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• Labour & Policy Legislation
• Institutional Framework of Labour Policy
• Labour Policy in a Globalized Economy
• Policy Towards Employing Foreign Workers
• Labour Force Analysis (2004)
• Labour Costs

Labour & Policy Legislation

Grenada has signed and ratified all International Labour Organizations undertakings and has enshrined these rights in its labor laws namely; the Labor Relations Act No1 of 1999 and the Employment Act No. 1 of 1999.

Grenadian law upholds the right of workers to be represented by a trade union of their choice. There are no restrictions on the activities of trade unions as long as they operate within the parameters set out by the local labour law. The majority of the workforce is unionized and there is very stable labour relations atmosphere on the island.


Institutional Framework of Labour Policy

The Government views the private sector as a composition of a number of stakeholders, private enterprise owners, labour, government, consumers, lenders and suppliers.  Among these stakeholders; workers have inalienable rights based on their contribution to enterprise development, profitability and growth over the years.  This viewpoint implies that Government policy is to ensure that workers are fairly treated in terms of wages and benefits, work hours, overtime pay, tenure of appointment, pensions, health and safety etc.

To institutionalize this policy the Government has formed a tripartite Labor Advisory Board composed of Government, Employers and Labour (as represented by the Trade Union Council) to advise the Government on matters such as the appropriate minimum wage by industry/ sector, terms and conditions of employment, work holidays, dismissal, union certification etc.


Labour Policy in a Globalized Economy

In light of the increased pace of global change and competition, the Government of Grenada has a policy of gradually merging some of the small and less effective trade unions as well as gradually trying to move the labor-employer interface from confrontation and at best negotiation towards a more cooperative basis.


Policy Towards Employing Foreign Workers

The Government recognizes that foreign investors as well as Grenadian investors must seek expatriate workers to supplement the skills of Grenadian workers; if their enterprises are to be competitive.   It is also recognized that in general; to import foreign workers and managers is more expensive than that of hiring Grenadians, hence all else being equal, investors have every incentive to hire Grenadians when possible.

T he Government of Grenada also recognizes special needs of foreign investors to employ expatriate workers from its parent company and its home country in positions such as general managers, accounting managers, chief financial officers and other key administrative positions. Hence, there is a policy in place for the granting of work visas and work permits to foreign workers.

Labour Force Analysis (2004)

The labour force in Grenada is estimated at approximately 42,358 (2004) with a distribution by sector as follows: agriculture 13.8%, industry 14%, services 62% (1999). The national rate of unemployment in 2005 was 18.5%.

Total 15+ Population by Education and Unemployment 
 

 Total 15+ Population by Age, Employment Status and Unemployment

By Occupation

By Sector

Labour Costs

Average Monthly Wage Rates