ARUBA EMPLOYMENT LAW

Are you one of those repeat visitors who fell so much in love with the island that you decided to migrate to Aruba? It should be a big decision to make, but it's not unlikely anyway. You are just one of the many people who have found enough reasons to want to live in Aruba.

Arubans pretty much live in a somewhat high standard of living. Those who wish to work really do find work. Their low crime rate level supports the fact that poverty is not evident on the island. So, as an immigrant, it shouldn't be much of a problem too, right?

Aruba employment law states that a work permit must be obtained from the Minister of Justice by a non-citizen who wishes to work in Aruba. The application is filed by the potential employer who will also bear the costs. A work permit is granted unless a local applicant is found suitable for the job. There are several other documents that need to be presented with the application. These include an official certification clearing the person of any criminal convictions from the country of origin, medical certificate to verify that the person possesses no contagious diseases or mental illness, copies of the employment advertisements published in local newspapers, certificates to verify the person's qualifications, and the contract of employment according to Aruba employment law.

The minimum legal wage per month is $592 with fifteen paid holidays per year. Aruba employment law recognizes eleven public holidays every year. The Aruba employment law further states that a five-day workweek should not exceed 42 hours of work, that is, a six-day workweek should only have 45 hours of work. This is true if the business is not any of the following: restaurant, casino, hotel, or oil refining. Otherwise, shift work allows a maximum of 48 hours of work per week.

The minimum wage set last January 1, 2004 was $691 per month or Afl 1,236, for every employee at least 18 years old. As per Aruba employment law, this monthly minimum wage was again increased last January 1, 2006 making it at $756 or Afl 1,360.

According to the Aruba employment law, in cases of layoff, compensation is based upon the length of service. Employees serving between 1-10 years will get a week's pay. Those who were employed between 10-20 years will receive 1.25 week's pay. And for those who served more than 20 years get an equivalent of 2 week's pay.

The Aruba employment law clearly protects the rights of its citizens. They are being prioritized for job vacancies for as long as they qualify. No wonder this island possesses one great treasure -- its happy people.