Dominican Republic

• New Year's Day
• Epiphany Holiday
• Lady of Altagracia Day
• Juan Pablo Duarte Day
• Independence Day
• Good Friday
• Labour Day
• Corpus Christi
• Restoration Day
• Our Lady of Mercedes Day
• Constitution Day
• Christmas Day

Working Hours

Most employees can work up to 8 hours a day, or a maximum of 44 hours per week.

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage depends on the size of the company:

• Small companies - DOP 12,900 per month
• Medium companies - DOP 19,250 per month
• Large companies - DOP 21,000 per month
• Duty free zones - DOP 13,915 per month

Employee Tax

Annual income	Tax rate
Up to DOP 416,220	0%
DOP 416,220 - 624,329	15%
DOP 624,329.00 - 867,123	20%
More than DOP 867,123	25%
Health insurance contribution	3.04%
Pension plan contribution	2.87%

Bonuses

Employees in the Dominican Republic are entitled to a tax-free 13th month salary, which is payable in December.

It is presumed that an employment contract exists whenever a person renders a personal service to another, even if the contract is not in writing.

Some contracts must be written:

• Apprenticeship contracts
• Fixed-term contracts
• Contracts with foreign employees

Both indefinite and fixed-term contracts are permitted in the Dominican Republic.

Annual Leave

Minimum of 14 days' paid holiday, rising to 18 days after five years of service.

Sick Leave

From 5-15 days’ salary per year, depending on the employee’s length of service.

Parental Leave

• Maternity leave: at least 12 weeks' paid leave.
• Paternity leave:  2 days' paid leave.

Termination Process

Termination is split into three categories:

• Desahucio — at will termination, in which either party can terminate a contract with notice
• Despido — the employer files for termination with a cause
• Dimisión — the employee files for termination with a cause

Both parties must give 7-28 days’ notice depending on the employee’s length of service.

Severance Pay

Employees are entitled to 6 days' severance pay after three months’ service, rising to 13 days after six months. Employees who have 1-5 years of service should receive 21 days’ severance pay per year worked, rising to 23 days per year after 5 years of service.

Under a Mauve Group Employer of Record solution, clients and workers can reap the benefits of Mauve’s Global Master Insurance Programme – a market-leading unified corporate insurance programme that connects all Mauve entities to its two preferred providers.

The insurance provides coverage in overseas locations through a combination of the master policy and its linked local policies, where required by law in certain jurisdictions.  The policies include:

• Employer’s Liability and Public Liability - £10,000,000 combined limit.
• Professional Indemnity - £5,000,000 limit.
• Worker’s Compensation – Limit is dependent on location of work.

For specific information about statutory and recommended insurances in your chosen country, get in touch with Mauve.