Holidays

• 1st January – New Year’s Day

• 30th March – Spiritual Baptist Day

• 2nd April – Good Friday

• 4th April – Easter Day

• 5th April – Easter Monday

• 13th May – Eid-ul-Fitr

• 30th May – Indian Arrival Day

• 3rd June – Corpus Christi

• 19th June – Labour Day

• 1st August – Emancipation Day

• 31st August – Independence Day

• 24th September – Republic Day

• 4th November – Divali

• 25th December – Christmas Day

• 27th December – Boxing Day

PTO

• Vacation/Annual Paid Leave

There are no statutory leave provisions that apply to workers in general in Trinidad and Tobago. State employees have leave entitlements set out in legislation which deals with each Service. This includes paid vacation leave.

In the private sector employers and unions may agree on leave entitlements that become part of a registered collective agreement that is binding on both employer and employees. Where no collective agreement exists for paid public holidays, vacation is at the discretion of the employer.

• Use-it-or-lose-it policy 

Not specified by law.

• PTO payout at the termination

Not specified by law.

Maternity Leave and Stillbirth Leave

Maternity Leave

Under the MPA (Maternity Protection Act) female employees are entitled to thirteen (13) weeks maternity leave (six weeks prior to confinement, 7 weeks after) and one month’s pay during such leave. An employee on maternity leave shall have the right to return to work. To qualify for maternity leave, employees must have worked for an employer for no less than 12 months. The employee shall also submit a medical certificate stating the probable date of confinement, as well as a written expression of her intent to return to work after maternity leave.

Stillbirth Leave 

An employee whose child dies during the period of leave is entitled to the remaining period of leave with pay. Where an employee has not as yet proceeded on maternity leave and has a premature birth where the child dies either at birth or thirteen (13) weeks after, she is still entitled to her full or remaining period of leave with pay. Under the MPA employees are also allowed time off with pay for the purpose of receiving prenatal medical care. 

Sick Leave

Sick Leave

There are no statutory requirements that fix an employee’s entitlement to paid illness leave. This benefit is usually provided for in the contract of employment or collective agreement.

Jury Duty Leave and Voting Leave (Leave due to Public Interest)

Not specified by law.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to up to three working days of bereavement leave where the death occurs in Trinidad and Tobago and five days where it occurs outside.

Military Leave

Not specified by law.

Please consult your local legal counsel to learn more about Trinidad and Tobago Leave Laws.

To learn more about laws in various countries, check out our Leave Laws page.