St Lucia labour crack down

The St Lucian government is moving to tackle the problem of illegal immigrants who are currently holding jobs on the island, particularly at private sector establishments.



A government statement advised that officers attached to the Ministry of Labour will be visiting business places early in the New Year to ensure that foreign nationals possess the requisite work permits.



Under St Lucian law, both the employer and employee are guilty of violating the country’s laws and are liable to pay a fine in instances where a non-national is employed without being in possession of a work permit.



The government announcement stated that employers who may have such persons on their staff are advised to visit the Ministry of Labour before January 15, 2009.



It advised that persons who regularise their status before that date will be required to pay only the work permit fee.